ROBERT TAYLOR Victory Flyover withUSS Missouri & USS Arizona bonuses MOH DeBLANC

  

This open edition poster was published in 1995 by Military Gallery for the Admiral Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg, Texas to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Allied victory in the Pacific. We have now celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the Allied victory in the Pacific. On Sunday September 2, 1945, the formal surrender document was signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. With General Douglas MacArthur, Fleet Admiral Chester Nimitz, and Admirals Halsey and Sherman presiding, the Instrument of Surrender was completed with the affixing of signatures.

The Second World War was at last over. Right on cue, and as if staged by Hollywood, shafts of brilliant sunlight broke through the morning mist floodlighting the historic scene, and a mighty rumble began to fill the air. A great Armada of American aircraft swept across Tokyo Bay as Corsairs, Hellcats, Avengers, Helldivers, Mustangs, Thunderbolts, and Superfortresses, heralded in the peace. "VICTORY FLYOVER" captures those historic moments for posterity and, since its publication in 1995, has been one of Robert Taylor's most sought after prints. This massive American flyover that took place above the USS Missouri after the Japanese surrendered is also described on page 262 in Bill O'Reilly's bestselling book, Killing the Rising Sun. This mint condition poster measures 25" x 30½" and has been stored flat. Adding great value to this special commemorative poster it was individually signed (in the image) by United States Marine Corps Ace Colonel JEFFREY J. DeBlanc was the winner of many awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor. MOH Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as leader of a section of 6 fighter planes in Marine Fighting Squadron 112, during aerial operations against enemy Japanese forces off Kolombangara Island in the Solomons group, 31 January 1943. Taking off with his section as escort for a strike force of dive bombers and torpedo planes ordered to attack Japanese surface vessels, 1st Lt. DeBlanc led his flight directly to the target area where, at 14,000 feet, our strike force encountered a large number of Japanese Zeros protecting the enemy's surface craft. In company with the other fighters, 1st Lt.

DeBlanc instantly engaged the hostile planes and aggressively countered their repeated attempts to drive off our bombers, persevering in his efforts to protect the diving planes and waging fierce combat until, picking up a call for assistance from the dive bombers, under attack by enemy float planes at 1,000 feet, he broke off his engagement with the Zeros, plunged into the formation of float planes and disrupted the savage attack, enabling our dive bombers and torpedo planes to complete their runs on the Japanese surface disposition and withdraw without further incident. Although his escort mission was fulfilled upon the safe retirement of the bombers, 1st Lt. DeBlanc courageously remained on the scene despite a rapidly diminishing fuel supply and, boldly challenging the enemy's superior number of float planes, fought a valiant battle against terrific odds, seizing the tactical advantage and striking repeatedly to destroy 3 of the hostile aircraft and to disperse the remainder. Prepared to maneuver his damaged plane back to base, he had climbed aloft and set his course when he discovered 2 Zeros closing in behind.

Undaunted, he opened fire and blasted both Zeros from the sky in a short, bitterly fought action which resulted in such hopeless damage to his own plane that he was forced to bail out at a perilously low altitude atop the trees on enemy-held Kolombangara. A gallant officer, a superb airman, and an indomitable fighter, 1st Lt.

DeBlanc had rendered decisive assistance during a critical stage of operations, and his unwavering fortitude in the face of overwhelming opposition reflects the highest credit upon himself and adds new luster to the traditions of the U. "USS ARIZONA" and "USS MISSOURI". As stated above, the surrender ceremony took place aboard the battleship USS Missouri 75 years ago. Nearby is the sunken battleship USS Arizona which represents the beginning of World War II for the United States. These battleship renderings are filled with exquisite detail, are in mint condition, measures 11" x 17", and have been signed and dated by the artist.

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