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A leather valise containing this uniform was discovered and removed from the wreckage
of a German airplane early in 1945 by Lt.Don B. Clark*. This uniform, the accompanying
breeches and the medals shown were brought home in the valise, along with many other
souvenirs at the end of the war.
This uniform has seen some limited service after WWII. It became a reasonably unique
Halloween costume in the mid-
The target of the October candy quest was a large trailer park in State College PA. In hindsight it’s not too remarkable that many men recognized the uniform, rank, or medals. Many of them must have been attending Penn State University on the G.I. Bill. There was absolutely no concern about political correctness in the 1950’s. We won the war and we had the souvenirs.
This uniform was originally worn by Oberleutnant Metzger who served in the Luftwaffe from at least 1939, completing over 60 missions. He had volunteered for the Legion Condor and served in the Spanish Civil War.
AWARDS
Operational Flying Clasp, Silver
The Clasp designated service in Medium and Heavy Bombers, including Dive bombers.
The Silver Clasp was awarded for at least 60 missions, and the Gold was awarded at
110 missions.
Observer’s Badge
This badge was awarded to observers, navigators and bombardiers.
(Metzger scratched his name on the back of this early silver badge)
Spanish Cross with Swords
This award is the Bronze grade with Swords. In order to receive this Combatant award (with Swords) it was necessary to have been a volunteer in the “Legion condor”. Only 8,462 were awarded.
Iron Cross Ist Class (E. K. I)
The E.K.I. was awarded to recipients of the Iron Cross 2nd Class, after 5 additional acts of bravery.
*See the Biography of Don B. Clark elsewhere in this Virtual Museum for additional information about his military career.
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