"Robert Sveinson" wrote in message
...

"Ancient Mariner" wrote in message
...
Maybe not. Check

http://www.ww2wings.com/wings/usaaf/usaafobserver.shtml


Answer from Can.community.military

I believe it to be an Operational Tours Badge, non-standard. Usually
the "O" is open and there are 8 lines of feathers. Size would be 41mm
wide and 10 high and made from gilt brass.


Cheers
CJ Adams

Do you some more about this?
I believed that it was only awarded to RCAF aircrew who
completed a tour of operations. If the crewman completed
another tour a small plaque was attached by a chain link
below the wings.
What sparked this search was seeing a display of Andrew Mynarski's
medals in a frame on the wall of the St. George Hotel
at Middleton St. George, the RCAF airbase where he was stationed
at the time of his death. The St. George Hotel was the Officers Mess
during WW II.
AFIK he hadn't completed enough ops to be "tour expired",
but along with his medals there was one of these badges.
I have only seen a couple on TV on the lapels of some WW II
aircrew vets, and that one in the hotel is the only one that I have
seen "in real life".

Was this badge awarded to Mynarski by the appropriate military
authority, or was it added to his display for sentimental reasons only.
If it was awarded by the appropriate authority could one expect
that it was awarded to all RCAF aircrew who died on "ops"?

I have only seen these wings relating to RCAF aircrew, and
it has been a well kept secret (from me at least) as I have only
read one book that refers to these wings and plaques.
The book is : Chronicles Of A Nervous Navigator
by
John Iverach (RCAF)

I had read his book many years ago and his reference to the
"tour wings" and "bars" but I did not remember this.

After I had seen the wings at Middleton St George I re-read
Iverach's book, not because I remembered his tour wings, but
for another reason.

That started my quest which except for the picture that I posted
has remained fruitless. The picture that I posted, believe it or
not I got from EBAY!

Any more help will be appreciated.

Robert