Original World War Two US Army Air Forces Glider Pilot’s Medal Grouping of three war veteran SMSGT Robert “Bob” Hubert Salyer of the 413th Troop Carrier Group, 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron.
Robert “Bob” Hubert Salyer was born June 13th 1919 in Fleming, Kentucky. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1940 and began training as an Air Cadet. He completed Advanced Glider Training at South Plains Army Air Field in Lubbock, Texas. After graduating flight school on April 15, 1944, he was promoted in rank to 2nd Lt and assigned to the 62nd Troop Carrier Squadron of the 413th Group. Flight Officer Salyer participated in the September 1944 Operation Market Garden in Holland delivering Paratroopers and the March 1945 Operation Varsity in Wesel, Germany. He earned the U.S. Army Air Medal and Orange Lanyard from the Dutch Government for his service in these missions. The typed sheets that accompany this medal group read:
Took part in three Combat Missions:
- Glider Mission to Holland, Sunday September 17 1944.
- Glider Mission to Wesel, Germany Saturday March 24 1945.
- Freight Haul East of the Rhine River to Y-74 Sunday April 15 1945. (Co Pilot on a C-47A)
Bob continued to serve after World War Two. He served in the Korean War, and the Vietnam War as well.
Bob passed away on June 22nd 1996 at the age of 77 in Tampa, Florida.
Salyer’s flight jacket is housed in the Silent Wings Museum in Texas and bears an insignia patch with Flight Officer Bugs Bunny riding his glider into combat. Bugs Bunny was adopted as an unofficial mascot of the Winged Commandos.
Each medal is un-engraved and still retain their respective pin brooches. All medals are attached to the black felt frame-board via a long single strip of adhesive tape, each medal, ribbon bar, and pins can easily be removed if desired. The ribbon bar is simply pinned through the board and not attached to an adhesive strip. The last photo depicting Robert Salyer is not a part of this sale and is for reference purposes only.
