Donald Strait Signed WWII 11x14 Photo With (3) Inscriptions (PSA COA)

356th Group FIghter Ace

  • Lot number 847640
  • Total views 3
  • Total bids 1
  • Winning bid $20.00
  • Buyer's premium $3.20
  • Total $23.20
  • CLASSIC NO RESERVE

Photo measures 11" x 14" in size and has been hand-signed in black felt-tip pen by Donald Strait.

A portion of the sale of this auction will be donated to the General James. H Doolittle Scholarship Fund. The General James H. Doolittle Scholarship Fund was founded to assist college students by awarding one scholarship annually in the maximum amount of $5,000 to a deserving student who is pursuing a baccalaureate or advanced degree in aeronautical engineering or an aerospace science. Students are selected based on their scholastic achievement, school and community participation, demonstrated leadership potential and financial need. More information can be found at the Doolittle Scholarship Funds's website.

Receiving his first-choice assignment as a fighter pilot, he began flying the P-47 Thunderbolt at Westover Field, MA. Moving up to the dramatically more powerful Thunderbolt, and flying it out of the snowy New England conditions was a real challenge. After checking out in the P-47 and completing "transition training" he was assigned to the 356th Fighter Group, then at Bradley Field, CT.

On reporting to his CO, he mentioned his background in the NJ Air National Guard and his desire for extra duty in aircraft maintenance. He was duly appointed assistant engineering officer, and got the chance to undertake all aircraft flight tests. As typical of American Fighter Groups, the 356th pilots underwent further, more advanced training in the P-47s before leaving the United States for England in August, 1943. By this time, Strait had been promoted to Captain.

The autograph includes an official PSA/DNA hologram and matching COA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: PSA COA

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.