Wings Of Valor

P-WOV

$75.00

WINGS OF VALOR was produced to commemorate symposia attended by four WWII recipients of their nations’ highest awards for valor. William Lawley earned the Medal of Honor at the controls of the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress during “Big Week” over Germany. Lawley brought a badly damaged bomber back to England for a successful crash landing despite being badly wounded and with a dead copilot. William “Bill” Reid received one of only 32 Victoria Crosses for heroism during aerial combat. Enroute to the target in Germany, his AVRO Lancaster was attacked and badly damaged. Although wounded, he continued to the target, dropped his bombs, and then flew the aircraft back to England and a crash landing. Günther Rall became the third-ranking fighter ace in history. Flying the Messerschmitt Me 109, he achieved 275 aerial victories and earned the Knight’s Cross with Oak Leaves and Swords. He commanded fighters at the squadron, group and wing level. As a lieutenant general he led the “new” German Air Force. Vitali Popkov commanded an elite fighter unit and earned the Gold Star and title “hero of the Soviet Union.” He fought in the epic battles of Stalingrad, Kursk, and the Kuban. Later he earned a second Gold Star. He flew 478 combat missions and shot down 41 aircraft. He added three victories flying the MiG 15 in Korea. EDITION: 1000 prints signed/numbered by the artist, Rall, Popkov, and Reid. The edition was incomplete as Lawley died before signing all the prints. He signed approximately 30 percent of the edition. Size: 16” x 20”