American Historical Ephemera & Photography

An archive of photographs, documents, and other ephemera identified to career naval officer Lieutenant Commander Richard W. Hurst (1923-2014).

Lot highlighted by WWII-era US Navy canvas flight helmet with earphones, radio cords, chin strap, and M-1944 goggles. Additional items include: several photographs of Hurst in military uniform, ca mid-to-late1940s; documents related to his military service; miscellaneous military publications; 4 military patches; two small photobooks, one hand-dated "1954" with 13 black and white snapshots of military activity and recreation, including images taken of aircraft onboard an aircraft carrier at sea, and a second hand-dated "1953-54?" with 9 images including of aircraft on carriers, training, and recreation; a 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. black and white photograph with an aerial view of Midway Atoll; and a small number of newspaper clippings related to miliary news and Hurst's military career.

[With:] Personal ephemera: Hurst's grade school and high school diplomas; a 1941 high school class photograph; program from Hurst's 1941 high school commencement at Goodyear Theater in Akron, Ohio; and a large array of family photographs.

Akron, Ohio, native Richard Wilson Hurst joined the Navy in 1944 earning both his commission and his wings in December of that year. During his 25 years of service, he served with VF-81, VA-66, at NAAS Chase Field, NAS Midway Island, NAS Dallas and NAS Akron. He reported to VT-2 in February 1967 and served as Assistant Maintenance Officer before becoming Training Squadron Two's Aircraft Division Officer. He is buried at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.