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LAU-3 Rocket Laucher

DAYTON, Ohio - The LAU-3 Rocket Launcher on display in the First In, Last Out: Wild Weasels vs. SAMs exhibit in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - This cotton-backed silk flag has Chinese characters that request help and protection. Ernest Tyndall, a P-47 pilot in the 19th Fighter Squadron, carried this rayon blood chit while flying missions from Saipan and Ie Shima in 1944-45. It states: "The American Air Force has come to China to help us in the war effort. Hope that our soldiers and civilians one and all will rescue, protect, and provide them with medical care." S.C. Galbreath, a member of the 82nd Bomb Squadron in Thailand, carried this British-made paper and linen "Goolie chit," the British term for blood chit. Copy of British “Goolie Chit” carried by some USAAF airmen in the Middle East and North Africa. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - Early cloth blood chit from the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater. Although this hand-painted chit did not offer a reward, it carried the flag of Nationalist China for recognition and asked for help and protection. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - Early World War II escape map made of tissue. Ernest Tyndall, a P-47 pilot in the 19th Fighter Squadron, carried this silk escape map while flying missions from Saipan and Ie Shima in 1944-45. Kenneth Schmidt, an A-26 Invader gunner, carried this silk map of Holland, Belgium, France and Germany. This British manufactured escape map depicts the French road network. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - British-made buttons carried by some USAAF airmen. One button was magnetized, and it pointed north when balanced on the pin of the other button. This pen clip compass pointed north when balanced on a pin or hung from a string. This compass, usually hidden in clothing, pointed north when balanced on a pin. This uniform button concealed a compass. To help prevent discovery by prison guards, the lid unscrewed in a clockwise direction. Some POWs made their own maps to be used after they escaped. Following a request from MIS-X, the U.S. Playing Card Company concealed sections of a complete map within individual cards, like the reproductions displayed here. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - Fake guns, like these fake guns made by former USAAF POWs after the war, would look very convincing during a night escape. This crude wire cutter would help an escapee to get through the barbed wire that surrounded POW camps. These POW-made implements were not only useful as escape tools, but also as potential weapons. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - William Lillie, a pilot in the 74th Fighter Squadron in the China-Burma-India Theater, carried this pointie talkie with nine languages: English, Chinese, Burmese, French, Annamese (Vietnamese), Thai, Shan, Lolo and Laotian. On Sept. 14, 1944, Homer Soden, a crewman on a B-17, carried these phrase cards on a long-range supply drop to Polish resistance fighters in Warsaw. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - Flying boots were a telltale sign of an airman. Equipped with a knife in the bootstrap, these British-made boots appeared to be common walking shoes after the upper portion was cut off. This item is on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - This camera is one of 12 purchased by MIS-X to be sent covertly to German POWs to take photographs for false identification cards. Capt. John Bennett, a POW at Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Poland, received this particular camera in early 1944. This item is on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - While flying missions over Europe, USAAF airmen carried photographs of themselves in civilian clothes, like this packet of seven carried by John Creamer. If downed, they could be used by the Resistance to make false identity cards. These items are on display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - Evasion purses: 1) original French francs and carrying purse (marked "F" for use in France) issued by M.I.9 to American flyers through MIS-X. The money could be used by downed flyers to reward assistance or provide bribes. 2)The “FBD” on this map case indicates it covered France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. 3) The “N” on this evasion purse indicates it covered Norway and Sweden. 4) Aircrews did not open evasion kits unless they were to be used. This one carried a map, a compass and a saw. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - In the photo: members of the French Resistance created these false identification papers for 2nd Lt. Ralph K. Patton. German occupation forces required all French citizens to carry an identity card. This paper was required specifically for travel in the coastal region of France. French citizens carried this certificate of work to prevent removal to forced labor camps in Germany. The War Department sent these telegrams to Lt Patton's mother. The first reported he was missing in action, and the second reported his return to active duty. Lt. Patton, like many other successful USAAF evaders in Europe, bought his custom-made "Winged Boot" at Hobson and Sons in London shortly after he arrived back in England. USAAF airmen normally wore this prized symbol under the left-hand coat lapel since it was not an authorized uniform item. These items are in display in the "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - Capt. Jack Ilfrey’s service coat. His winged boot for evading in France is on the left breast pocket. This is part of the Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II exhibit in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II

DAYTON, Ohio - The "Winged Boot: Escape and Evasion in World War II" exhibit on display in the World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Cool Co-op

DAYTON, Ohio - Exhibits division student worker Luke Maynard stands next to a diorama in the Warrior Airmen exhibit at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (Photo courtesy of Gary Honnert, Sinclair Community College)
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Ilfrey

DAYTON, Ohio - Capt. Jack Ilfrey, an ace who ended the war with eight victories, twice escaped capture during WWII. (U.S. Air Force Photo)
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B-2 Stealth Bike

DAYTON, Ohio -- As part of the 20th anniversary of the first flight of the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will display a special B-2 stealth bike next to its B-2 aircraft in the museum's Cold War Gallery, May 2-28. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Jeff Fisher)
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Return with Honor: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia

DAYTON, Ohio - Recreated POW cells in the Return with Honor: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia exhibit in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Coming Home: The U.S. Exits Southeast Asia

DAYTON, Ohio -- These U.S. flags were the last to fly at several well-known and important bases in Southeast Asia. They are on display in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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Return with Honor: American Prisoners of War in Southeast Asia

DAYTON, Ohio - In this case is a life ring from the SS Mayaguez. The ship was launched in 1944, and beginning in 1965 sailed a regular route from Hong Kong to Thailand and Singapore carrying supplies in support of U.S. forces in Southeast Asia. The Mayaguez was scrapped in 1979. USAF pararescueman Wayne Fisk wore this beret during the Mayaguez operation. He was on the last helicopter to leave Koh Tang. This instrument panel stopped a bullet. The panel is from an HH-53 helicopter that attempted under fire to rescue the crew of another helicopter downed in the opening minutes of the Koh Tang operation. (U.S. Air Force photo)
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