Description: Three very rare, original, private purchase, Air America Pilots wings. The first wing is for a Senior Command pilot and made from 14 kt Gold, measuring 2 1/8" wide & weighing 7 grams.The second wing, also for a pilot, and measuring 2 1/8", is made of Sterling Silver. The third wing is a half wing (1 1/8" wide) for a Command pilot of a STOL aircraft or Helicopter pilot and is also made of sterling silver, All in a clutch back configuration.Also included is an oval black cloth patch woven in silver bullion wire with the U.S. National Shield with the legend, "Air America" embroidered on the face. These patches were made in either Japan or Thailand.

History: Air America -- "Anything, Anytime, Anywhere, Professionally"Air America's tenure in Asia began when Civil Air Transport (CAT) crossed the river into Shanghai in 1946. It ended on a rooftop in downtown Saigon in 1975. First in, last out. That was CAT and Air America in China, Korea and in Southeast Asia.Adventure, intrigue, danger, sacrifice--words that fit Air America well. Air America was a CIA - owned and - operated "air proprietary" during the Cold War against the global menace of communism. From 1946 to 1976, Civil Air Transport (CAT) and Air America served alongside U.S. and allied intelligence agents and military personnel in the Far East, often in dangerous combat and combat support roles. Behind a shroud of strict secrecy, many Air America personnel were unaware that they were "shadow people" in counterinsurgency operations. Some 87 of them were killed in action in China, Korea, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and elsewhere. Though many of those Asian countries eventually fell to the communists, the contributions of Air America personnel to the cause of freedom remain unparalleled in aviation history. CAT and Air America personnel were the first Americans in China and Korea and, after the U.S. military had withdrawn from Vietnam, Air America pilots risked their lives to evacuate the last Americans. Air America -- "First in, last out."

Provenance: N/A

Dimensions: Weight (Pounds & Ounces) = 0.5 | Height(in) = 10" | Width(in) = 8" | Depth(in) = 2"

Size of Artwork(in): 8.25 x 6.25 x .875"

Artist Name: N/A

Medium: 14 kt Gold/Sterling Silver

Circa: 1960's/70's

All three wings and patch are in excellent condition.