This group includes the slot brooch Purple Heart in its period case of issue, officially machine engraved to Lt. Edward P. Cummings USNR. There is his slot brooch, Navy issue thick planchet DFC in its case of issue, and his wrap brooch Air Medal in its case. Further included are Cummings Gemsco 1/20 GF Navy pilot wings, the leather flight jacket name tag to Cummings as an Ensign, one dog tag, and various WWII and Korean War Campaign and service medals.
The paper in this very complete group includes Lt. Cummings Navy Purple Heart Certificate issued 10/8/1954 and the original transmittal letter for the Purple Heart. Further included are a death notice and picture from a former employer, a 2 page typed/signed letter from his squadron commander to his mom describing the actions surrounding his loss, a great 8 x 10 flight line carrier photo of Cumming and his fellow pilots in front of Corsairs, his 1946 Naval Aviator diploma, standard instrument training diploma 1950, a notebook w/pictures, documents, and letters showing him as an enlisted man in 1945, his promotion cert to Lt(jg) in 1950, organized Naval Reserve transfer notice with 2 photo’s from 12/49, 8 great 8x10 squadron photo’s in front of various planes, the original telegram of him missing after action, original telegram from the USS Bon Homme Richard concerning his being missing after attack, various letters about his MIA status/pay/etc. a typed letter declaring him deceased 5/25/54, a letter with a copy of the carrier’s NUC citation dated 1957, and three patriotic photo albums w/military and family photos,
Cummings loss in the air war over Korea is a page in the book “Sea War in Korea”.
