Thinking of getting a tattoo of avatar.....

[keefe]

Remember our Grandfathers that had them from WWII and after. I'm also getting my Grandfathers Squadron patch from WWII tattoo on me. He was a pilot with the 49th Fighter Squadron in WWII. Look it up! Maybe they will look just like the tattoos my step-Grandfather had, he was a navigator on a bomber plane the P-38 Lightnings protected in WWII. Do you know anything about that?
*Edited for clarity*

Warrior

Your Grandfather's squadron through P-38's in WWII out of fields in Italy. They were used for long range escort of B 24's hitting targets in France, Germany/Austria, and the Balkans. Shoot me a PM and I'll get you in touch with the USAF Heraldry Office. Heraldry is a big deal in the AF - they'll have a catalog of every patch worn by your GF's unit during his time in service.

As for you other GF, his airframe depends on what theatre he was in.  If he was in Libya/Italy then it was likely B 24's. If it was UK then it was B 17s. If it was SWPAC then it was B 17s. If it was CBI or the Marianas then nit was B 29s. The least likely is UK since you say his combat escort was P 39s; 8th AF used P 51 Mustangs for combat escort.

The USAF has a History office as well. I have a couple contacts there as we were interviewed as A 10 guys and again as ASOS pukes. These guys would be glad to help you research his unit's campaign record. One place you can start for both is by getting both of their DD 214s. Again, reach out to me and I can give you combat vectors on getting all this done.

[Warrior]

Yes you are right. My grandfather flew out of Italy on numerous escort missions and a number of other special missions. He was with the 14th Fighter Group. I have a ton of information, but anything more you can help me obtain would be appreciated. Please pm me and give me your email address and/or phone number. Thank you! 

[keefe]

Here are some pics of the 49th TFS in WWII. These were brave men.



Pre-deployment at Hamilton Field, CA




Algeria, 1942




A tall cold one in Libya, 1944




Libya, 1944



These were the 24 year old men who kicked Hitler's ass back to a rat hole in Berlin. The Greatest Generation is correct.

[Warrior]

I have seen some of these, but not all. I can't believe you have all this great photography. I wrote you an email. Please contact me.

[Blue Horseshoe]

Warrior avatar tattoo = whiskey tango

[Warrior]

Some of those guys flew with my Grandfather. These guys were all Warriors!

[wesmat23]

Get the avatar. Great idea! Great tat! Hope you do it!

[keefe]

Warrior avatar tattoo = whiskey tango

I am of that generation where Tats or the euphemistic Body Art was considered "Whiskey Tango" wear. But times have changed. It used to be in the AF Regs that officers did not have tats. No way they could enforce that now.

When living in Jakarta it was easy to get away to Bali for the weekend. Garuda Biz class was $40 RT and you could get a villa for $100 at the Ritz Carlton. Once, on a GE Cap golf retreat we were on the beach after 18, hammering Bintangs and taking in the visiting Scandinavian scenery. There are people trying to sell you everything on the beach at Nusa Dua, including those henna tats. We had enough Bintang in us to make getting a henna tat a great idea. I opted for the classic Maori Bicep Tat.

That week I had to go back to CT for work and included a side trip to DC to see my mother. It was before 9/11 and she met me at the gate at National. I had worn a polo and pulled the sleeves up so that my Maori Design was on full display. I saw my mother's smile vanish immediately as soon as she locked on the tat. She actually refused to look at me the whole time at Baggage Claim and her conversation was reduced to terse yes and nos. Once in her Volvo she verbally leapt at me like a starved cheetah screeching incomprehensible words...I could make out Tattoo, low class, wasn't raised that way, etc...

Through laughs I explained that it was only temporary. At first she refused to believe such a thing existed but that gave way to even a temporary tattoo was unacceptable. Funnily enough, my Wazzu football son got his team mandatory Coug tattoo and she accepted that without protest.  

[Avenue Commons]

Yes you are right. My grandfather flew out of Italy on numerous escort missions and a number of other special missions. He was with the 14th Fighter Group. I have a ton of information, but anything more you can help me obtain would be appreciated. Please pm me and give me your email address and/or phone number. Thank you! 

If I'm not mistaken and at risk of being a busy body, i think actual military members frown upon non-military use of their logos. Even if it is for an honorable reason like you. I believe it is considered bad luck. But I may be mistaken. I'd ask, though. Good luck.

[Warrior]

I think my Grandfather would let me honor them. I think most, if not all of the 49th would also. Yeah, my Grandfather says it A OK. I'll take my chances on making some more good luck.......

[keefe]

Yes you are right. My grandfather flew out of Italy on numerous escort missions and a number of other special missions. He was with the 14th Fighter Group. I have a ton of information, but anything more you can help me obtain would be appreciated. Please pm me and give me your email address and/or phone number. Thank you! 

Warrior

I'm in the States through April - May. Call anytime but remember I am PST: 206 407 8834.

Glad to help. Your GFs were heroes and you should honor their service. All they did was free half of the world from tyranny. Brokaw got it - They were the Greatest Generation.

[keefe]

If I'm not mistaken and at risk of being a busy body, i think actual military members frown upon non-military use of their logos. Even if it is for an honorable reason like you. I believe it is considered bad luck. But I may be mistaken. I'd ask, though. Good luck.

Where did you hear that? Lots of military spouses wear Unit and Service tats with pride.

[Avenue Commons]

Where did you hear that? Lots of military spouses wear Unit and Service tats with pride.

I read it. Might have been one of the Ambrose books? Not totally confident on it and qualified it as such, but given the relatively permanent nature of a tattoo thought it was worth mentioning. If I was getting the tat I'd at least look into it. That's all I was saying.

Thanks to those guys this is a free country and people can do what they want!

[Blue Horseshoe]

I am of that generation where Tats or the euphemistic Body Art was considered "Whiskey Tango" wear. But times have changed.

I'm not saying all tattoos are whiskey tango, I'm just saying that a logo such as the Warrior logo would be in poor taste. Watch some episodes of Tattoo Age on Vice's website and see some real amazing work. If I had a tattoo parlor, no way in hell I'd put that logo on my wall of flash.

http://www.vice.com/tattoo-age

[Warrior]

Well...Marquette won! Now what? 

[keefe]

I read it. Might have been one of the Ambrose books? Not totally confident on it and qualified it as such, but given the relatively permanent nature of a tattoo thought it was worth mentioning. If I was getting the tat I'd at least look into it. That's all I was saying.

Thanks to those guys this is a free country and people can do what they want!

Yea, I don't think it's correct any longer but it may have been in the past. A lot of wives and girl friends get inked with unit and service tats. I know that Brit and Aussie gals do the same too.

As for people getting inked with service tats who have no affiliation, well that's mighty strange. I know SEALS will kick the sh1t out of you if you claim false membership in their tribe. A group of us were white water rafting and some guy was claiming to be an F 14 pilot. One of our guys asked the wannabe what RHAW gear the F 14 had. He had no idea what that meant but reverted to the age old, "that's classified."

[MountainCreekHouse]

Make sure you get the tatoo in a highly visible area, so you know for sure you'll get hired by a fellow MU alum.  Its a foolproof strategy.

"AUTOMATIC #54" right above your groin would be a great story for some very special people as well.

[keefe]

Well...Marquette won! Now what? 

Warrior - Call me this week at your convenience. I have some updates for you and need some info on your step GF. I can put you in touch with guys who flew with your GF in N Africa and Italy. Great stuff.

[Warrior]

Warrior - Call me this week at your convenience. I have some updates for you and need some info on your step GF. I can put you in touch with guys who flew with your GF in N Africa and Italy. Great stuff.

I will do that!

[MU82]

Be a man and get a tattoo of this year's Final Four logo with an MU overlay!