"Sting of the Yellowjackets"

Sting of the Yellowjackets

Sheet Size: 23" x 33" • © 2001

Print Editions

225 Limited Edition

With SIX co-signatures.

$220

30 Artist's Proofs

With SIX co-signatures.

$245

30 Remarqued Edition

With SIX co-signatures.

Individually remarqued.

$375

150 Group Edition

With THIRTY-FIVE co-signatures.

Comes with a list of signatories, printed on prime, acid-free paper and suitable for framing.

$425

50 Studio Edition

Signed by the artist only.

$160

140 Veterans Edition

Signed by the artist only.

Not for sale by publisher.

Spring of 1944. P­51D Mustangs of the 361st Fighter Group defend a crippled B­17 high over Germany.

Signatures

Lt. Colonel Joe Kruzel's military career bega as an Aviation Cadet in May 1940. His first assignment was to the Philippines, where he flew P­40's in 17 Pursuit Squadron when the Japanese attacked in December 1941. Lt. Colonel Joe Kruzel flew 'Vi,' the Mustang featured in STING OF THE YELLOW JACKETS.During the first year of war, he was credited with destroying 3 Japanese fighters. On his return to the USA as a Captain, he became a P­47 Squadron Commander at Richmond, Virginia, where he was later chosen to be the Executive Officer of the 361st Fighter Group, which went to England in November 1943. In Europe, he was credited with destroying 3­1/2 German fighters. He became Fighter Group Commander of the 361st in September 1944. Other commands include F-100 Fighter Wing and an F-100 Air Division. Key staff posts were in Operations at Headquarters PACAF and at Headquarters USAF, Pentagon. Medals awarded were Silver Star with 2 OLC's, DFC with OLC, Distinguished Service Medal and Presidential Unit Citation. He retired in August 1970 as a Major General.

1st Lieutenant Leslie W. 'Bill' May enlisted in the Army Air Corps in March 1942. He graduated from Foster Field, Texas, in May of 1943. 1st Lieutenant Bill May's aircraft is the second Mustang, as seen in STING OF THE YELLOW JACKETS.After transition to fighters he was transferred to 376 Fighter Squadron at Langley Field, Virginia. Bill was one of the original pilots of the 361st, arriving at Bottisham, England, in November 1943. He flew 93 missions, including escort on the first trip to Berlin and fighter cover during the D­Day invasion of Europe. He completed his tour of 300 hours of combat with the group in August of 1944. 1st Lieutenant May was awarded the DFG with one Oak Leaf Cluster and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

Captain George Lichter joined the 361st Fighter Group, 374 Fighter Squadron, at Richmond Army Base in May 1943. The Group departed for overseas in November 1943 on the liner Queen Elizabeth. Captain Lichter flew 88 combat missions and was credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft, 1 probable and 3 damaged. He was awarded the DFG and Air Medal and attained the position of Squadron Flight Leader. After returning to the States in December 1944 upon completing his tour of combat, Captain Lichter joined the Israeli Air Force in 1948 where he flew combat in the Messerschmitt 109 and Supermarine Spitfire. This was during the Israeli War of Independence. When this war ended, he trained fighter pilots and was head of the Israeli Advanced Flying School. He became chief instructor in 1950 and returned to the States again in 1951.

1st Lieutenant Robert C. 'Chuck' Wright was born in Williston, North Dakota. He received his pilot's wings in April 1943 and was assigned to 375 Fighter Squadron, 361st Fighter Group and was one of their original pilots. He flew 83 combat missions. Score was 3­1/2 aircraft destroyed in the air, and 4 on the ground. Chuck was awarded the Silver Star, DFC with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Air Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters. His service career lasted 20 years, the last 7 of which were with the 27th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1962.

1st Lieutenant Henry B. Lederer was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He attended New York University and joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 as an Aviation Cadet. His training was on P­47 Thunderbolts. He was afterwards assigned to the 361st Fighter Group, 376 Fighter Squadron. After transfer to 374 Fighter Squadron he was in Bottisham, England, flying escort to B­17's and B­24's, plus ground support missions. In January of 1944 he was involved in the 361st first combat encounter, which was a fight with about 40 Me­109's. He shared a victory in this battle. Henry flew 305 hours of combat and received the DFC with two OLC's and the Air Medal with two OLC's. He was an 'Eager Beaver' and the first to finish his tour of duty and be rotated home. He had completed 92 missions.

1st Lieutenant David Carl Landin joined the U.S. Army in May of 1941, serving with the Field Artillery. He then became an Air Cadet and completed his training at Foster Field, Texas. He then joined the newly formed 361st Fighter Group in 376 Squadron, stationed at Bottisham, England. He began combat operations in January 1944, eventually completing 83 missions. This included D­Day and escorting 'heavies' to Berlin. He received the DFC with an OLC and the Air Medal with 5 OLC's. Although he left active service in 1945, he stayed in the active reserve, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1971. At this time he was presented with the Meritorious Service Award.

Signatures on the Group Edition

The Story

The supportive relationship that developed between bomber crew and fighter pilots of the Eighth and Ninth Air Forces in the ETO is legendary. It was a tight bond between the 'Big Friends' and their 'Little Friends,' the latter acting in a defensive role out of a desperate need to stem rising casualties among the bomber crews in the bleak years of 1942 and 1943.

In those dark days, bomber crews often had to face seasoned Luftwaffe pilots when they went beyond the limited range of USA and RAF fighters being used at that time. Crew and bomber losses rose alarmingly to unacceptable levels.

The air doctrine that grew out of this dilemma envisioned and achieved full escort coverage for the bomber crews, both to and from their continental targets. Additionally, newer and more potent fighter planes that had increased range, coupled with proven aggressive fighter tactics learned in the early years of the air war, wrestled the enemy skies from the Germans. This left the Luftwaffe as a shell of its former self.

Still, for the crippled stragglers in the wake of bomber streams who fell back from the protective pack of other 'heavies,' the prospect of being alone in the skies over Germany was nerve-wracking, to say the least. Marauding Focke-Wulfs and Messerschmitts often targeted these unfortunate crews as easy prey. Little Friends who responded to the radio pleas of these cripples, often beat back the aggressors and then escorted the bombers as they limped westward and home.

In Robert Bailey's painting STING OF THE YELLOW JACKETS, just such a scenario had unfolded. A single Flying Fortress finds itself all alone in enemy skies, damaged by flak during its bomb run. One engine has been shut down, control surfaces are shredded and there are wounded airmen aboard. Struggling to maintain altitude, the B­17 is attacked by two Me­109's bent upon its destruction. Fighters from the 361st Fighter Group, 375 Fighter Squadron enter the fray, destroying one of the attackers and driving off his wingman. The journey home will be uneventful, now that the injured crew have their own private escort of determined Little Friends.