The 33rd Degree is indeed a high honor conferred upon members who have made significant contributions to society or to Freemasonry in general. It’s an honorary degree granted by the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, one of several appendant bodies within Freemasonry. The Knights Templar is a degree within the York Rite of Freemasonry. A sword and sheath would be considered a significant artifact from this order, especially if it was owned by a notable figure such as a Major General of the 33rd level. Major General Arthur G. Salisbury was a commander of U.S. Air Forces Southern Command at Albrook Air Force Base, Canal Zone. He was born in 1916, in Sedalia, Mo., where he received his high school education. He graduated from the University of Arkansas Law School in 19391. He became an aviation cadet in September 1939, and completed flying school at Brooks Field, Texas, in May 1940, with a commission as second lieutenant. He then was assigned to the 8th Pursuit Group at Langley Field, VA. During World War II in June 1942, General Salisbury became commander of the 65th Fighter Squadron and was assigned to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. He flew 126 combat missions in support of Field Marshal Montgomery’s Eighth Army in its pursuit of Rommel across the Libyan desert and North Africa, and also participated in the invasions of Sicily and Italy. He became commander of the 57th Fighter Group, also in the Mediterranean Theater, which participated in one of the war’s largest air battles to this day. This sword comes with an Expert appraisal on it's making, history, founding, and provenance as well as the Free Mason himself. This lot may only be purchased via bank wire transfer.

Excellent