I have worked to identify the small pins in this photo. The small wings I know. The four stars surrounded by a red edge remind me of the "Four Star Mother" flag. I think I can now identify the two ribbon bars at the top as part of larger medals. On the left is the bar with the colors for the Europe Africa Middle East Campaign medal. I think the three stars are for three missions his 313 TC Group participated in. On the right is the blue and gold bar to accompany the Air Medal for Sylvan's role in D Day in Normandy. Mike Ingresano, historian for the 316 Troop Carrier Group, indexed in his book the Orders that awarded Sylvan Lucier, among others, the Oak Leaf Cluster for his participation in Market Garden (Holland) which meant he had already received the Air Medal for Normandy. (Sylvan was not given the Oak Leaf Cluster because he died in a glider accident a few weeks after returning from Holland. I don't know if it was sent to his parents.)
When I visited the Strategic Air Museum near Omaha NE on April 9, 2007, I saw a case of W.W. II Aviation Medals. In it were medals Sylvan Lucier must have earned but only the bars (top of photo) remain. The beautiful medals are missing from the box I received with my grandmother's scrapbook about Sylvan. Now I will try work to find replacements.
I would appreciate hearing from anyone who can correct or elaborate on the medals.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Letter of New Pilot to Mother
C.A. ACZD
Oxnard CAl
April 25, 1942
Dearest Mother,
After a man has soloed for the first time in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he is allowed to wear a little wing in his flight cap. Now that I have soloed, I can wear the wing and I am sending you its mate. It is the tradition here to send the little wing to the girl friend but I much rather send mine to my best friend my mother.
All my love,
Sylvan
Oxnard CAl
April 25, 1942
Dearest Mother,
After a man has soloed for the first time in the U.S. Army Air Corps, he is allowed to wear a little wing in his flight cap. Now that I have soloed, I can wear the wing and I am sending you its mate. It is the tradition here to send the little wing to the girl friend but I much rather send mine to my best friend my mother.
All my love,
Sylvan
Mira Loma Flight Academy
This is to certify that S.R.Lucier
has this date completed the prescribed course of primary flight training at this school,
May 7, 1942 Oxnard California
has this date completed the prescribed course of primary flight training at this school,
May 7, 1942 Oxnard California
PT-17 Stearman Basic Trainer
This is the plane that we have at this school and so far it is the only kind I have flown.
April 25, 1942
April 25, 1942
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Sylvan Lucier in Glider Training
WHY FLY A GLIDER?
All glider pilots were volunteers. Why would someone choose to become a glider pilot? Sylvan was a very quiet person and family tell me that when he left home to join Army pilot training at age 26, it was as if he was not gone. This was in contrast to when his older brother, Lanny, left. Sylvan enlisted January 1942. He was the fourth son to enlist.
FIVE BROTHERS WOULD SERVE
Tom Lucier, the fifth and youngest son of Eva and Delphis Lucier, tells me was in high school when the US entered the war. He would join upon finishing school and serve as a journalist in Bavaria Germany, writing for "The Frontline", the newspaper of the Third Infantry Division. Some stories he wrote, based on interviews of soldiers, were picked up and printed in "Stars and Stripes." My research request to the Stars and Stripes museum did not produce anything, but I haven't given up. Sylvan's brother, Lanny Lucier (Lawrence) really got me hooked on learning more about my mother's brothers. I visited him in 1997 and tape recorded hours of his stories. Unfortunately I never knew Bernard Lucier or Dolly (Dephis) Lucier. Their names are all engraved in the new World War II Memorial, thanks to Lanny and his wife Dorothy. The four brothers returned to tell their story to their children, my cousins. Sylvan did not return and since he died single and without children, I am a surrogate offspring for him I suppose, appointed by my mother.
All glider pilots were volunteers. Why would someone choose to become a glider pilot? Sylvan was a very quiet person and family tell me that when he left home to join Army pilot training at age 26, it was as if he was not gone. This was in contrast to when his older brother, Lanny, left. Sylvan enlisted January 1942. He was the fourth son to enlist.
FIVE BROTHERS WOULD SERVE
Tom Lucier, the fifth and youngest son of Eva and Delphis Lucier, tells me was in high school when the US entered the war. He would join upon finishing school and serve as a journalist in Bavaria Germany, writing for "The Frontline", the newspaper of the Third Infantry Division. Some stories he wrote, based on interviews of soldiers, were picked up and printed in "Stars and Stripes." My research request to the Stars and Stripes museum did not produce anything, but I haven't given up. Sylvan's brother, Lanny Lucier (Lawrence) really got me hooked on learning more about my mother's brothers. I visited him in 1997 and tape recorded hours of his stories. Unfortunately I never knew Bernard Lucier or Dolly (Dephis) Lucier. Their names are all engraved in the new World War II Memorial, thanks to Lanny and his wife Dorothy. The four brothers returned to tell their story to their children, my cousins. Sylvan did not return and since he died single and without children, I am a surrogate offspring for him I suppose, appointed by my mother.
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