To say this Airman's career was unique, would be an understatement. Lucien Irving "Stag" Thomas, a London native transplanted to Richmond, VA, went to Canada in 1940 and joined the Canadian Black Watch Regiment. He transferred to the RCAF in 1941. As an aerial gunner, he flew over 100 combat missions, personally scoring between 4-7 aerial German aircraft kills (sources differ based on credited vs. probable). He was personally decorated with the Distinguished Flying Medal by King George V at Buckingham Palace in 1943, one of three Americans in the RCAF to ever have the honor, and also earned a Polish Cross of Valor, Czech War Cross, and a French Croix de Guerre. He was shot down once over the North Sea and spent 71 hours in the water until rescued by a British Destroyer. He transferred to the USAAF in 1943 and continued to fly missions, totaling 132 over Europe in WWII. Remaining in the USAF, he went to Korea, flying another 119 missions in B-26 Invaders. In Vietnam, he continued to sneak onto combat missions despite serving in a staff role. By career's end, he had flown over 400 missions in three wars. He was famous in 1952 for proclaiming that he would rather see combat in Korea than spend time with Marilyn Monroe, prompting her to invite him to meet her when he came home, but declining in order to remain at war.This was his mid 1950's era ribbon bar just post-Korea.

Good condiiton, some devices missing.