description
Physical description
Peaked service dress, cap having a dark blue fabric top with woven blue band. The cap has a rigid peak that is faced with black fabric and decorated with lightning bolts and clouds, embroidered in silver wire. To the front is fitted an oxidised silver officer's pattern eagle badge and an adjustable black leather chinstrap is secured over the peak by matching crested USAF pattern buttons.
History note
Born in 1929, Walter J Boyne joined the United States Air Force in 1951 as an Aviation Cadet, joining Flight School in November. In December 1952 we was awarded his wing badge (Pilot) and commissioned as Second Lieutenant. Assigned to Castle Air Force Base (California) he flew the B-50 Superfortress with 330th Bomb Squadron, 93rd Bomb Wing, then later in 1954 was posted to McConnell Air Force Base (Kansas) where he converted to the B-47 Stratojet. In 1957 he returned to academic studies, earning a master's degree. On his return to flying duties, Boyne became a nuclear test pilot with the 4925th Nuclear Test Group at Kirtland Air Force Base (New Mexico). It was during this time that Boyne commanded both the B-47 and B-52 aircraft. He later served in the Vietnam conflict, commanding the 635th Service Squadron at U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base, flying 120 combat hours as a C-47 Skytrain instructor pilot. Retiring in 1974, Colonel Boyne achieved over 5,000 hours of flying in various aircraft types and later went on to write over 50 books and 1,000 aviation magazine articles as well as becoming a director of the National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian).
Stamped (inside head band)
Vans BROTHER CAP FACTORY
Printed (inside)
VANS BROTHER CAP FACTORY N0. 74 SEC.1 ROOSEVELT ROAD TAIPEI. TAIWAN
