Lt. K Bartman USAAF, 9th AF

[rathbonemuseum]

Hello all,

Please help me solve this riddle. I have owned the uniform to this man for quite a few years and so far have not been able to get the story told. You can view the uniform on my website at www.rathbonemuseum.com. Direct link here.
The uniform is interesting in that it features a winged boot of the late arrivals club and an RAAF wing.

Here is a pic:

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

Could he be Lt. Kenneth C. Bartman, service number 15109678 who came from Marion, Indiana ?

Alex

[rathbonemuseum]

Alex,

I don't have a service number unfortunately. I have tried to track down any K Bartman's, including Kennith from the SSDI. I have not gotten any further other than likely candidates as I have not been able to attach any service history to the names.

What interests me about this uniform is that it has that RAAF wing. Full size. The 9th could have been near an Aussie outfit. Bartman could have flown with Aussies. He could have been rescued by Aussies as part of his late arrivals club award. He was clearly a combat pilot based on his awards. In N. Africa, Italy or England depending on period.

Take a look at this flying boot. Made of the same uniform fabric as the tunic and what I believe is English bullion as the rest of the insignia:

[rathbonemuseum]

And here is the RAAF wing, embroidered in the English style, not Canadian or Australian style, also mounted with pop-studs:

[rathbonemuseum]

Hi All,

I was hoping someone might have a complete roster for the 9th AF somewhere? I have tried the 9th AF association with no luck (no response). Then I can start to pin down group, squadron, aircraft flown, theater, typcial missions and aircraft?

Thanks,

Tod

[Alex Smart]

Hi,
Just a question.

What are the ribbons ? DFM, DFC? and the RAAF all blue one ?

These awards may also help narrow him down.

Well I found what looks like on the left breast:
The US DFC with oakleaf.
The US Air Medal with three oakleaf's
The US European and Africa and Midle East Campaign Medal with three Bronz Stars This seems to be placed the wrong way up(?)
US Pilots Wings

While on the right:
The RAAF Wings
And What looks like the US Medal of Honour but I am doubtful if it is, it looks wrong. So what is this one ? the RAF's Conspicuous Galantry Medal or the Aircrew Europe Ribbon ?

I give a reason for the one with Bronz stars being the wrong way up. Could that have been due to the award being for his time with the RAAF ?

Alex

[rathbonemuseum]

The award on the right breast is an American Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) award. It normally is in a gold metal brass frame. In this case, it has been hand-embroidered, like a lot of the other insignia.

Cheers,

Tod

[Alex Smart]

Hi,

I see that you now have his obituary.

Alex

[rathbonemuseum]

Alex,

I have an obituary to a Kenneth Bartman but all of the operational duty quoted in his obit is for the CBI flying the hump. As you know, that is all pacific theater. So no fit with ETO ribbon and 9th air force patch.

Still can't figure this puzzle out...

Tod