Carl "Tooey" Spaatz Signed War Photograph Surrounded by WWII Air Corps Patches

This is a custom collage featuring a Carl "Tooey" Spaatz signed and inscribed World War II photograph. The signed photo is surrounded by authentic WWII vintage Air Corps patches, representing all the relevant units of the early Air Corps and Air Force.  

On December 1, 1942, General Spaatz became commanding general of the Twelfth Air Force in North Africa. In February 1943, he assumed command of the Northwest African Air Force, which he organized. He received a temporary promotion to Lieutenant General March 12, 1943. He took command of United States Strategic Air Forces in January 1944 and led the air war against Germany until the war's end in Europe. He got his fourth star in March 1945. 

In July 1945, Spaatz moved his headquarters to the Pacific Ocean Theater with the 20th Air Force as his main strike force. It was there that he received the order from the War Department for the 509 Composite Group of the 20th Air Force to drop atomic bombs on Japan. Spaatz became the first Chief of Staff of the independent U.S. Air Force in 1947. 

CONDITION:
The photograph is signed in black ink: “To Larry Hansen/ In appreciation for/ carrying out with/ efficiency a highly/ important assignment./Tooey Spaatz”. The signature is in the lower left corner of photograph, and extends into the bottom margin. Photographic portrait is in very good condition. Signature is legible, with very little fading of the ink.  

Photograph is framed with acid-free mats, gold spandrel, and brown linen top mat. The patches are artfully arranged along the linen top mat. Photographs and patches are displayed in a custom-built, wood burl and black frame. Framed dimensions: 28 3/4" H x 24" W x 2" D.