Name/Title
Army Air Forces Certificate Richard G Bull June 16,1943Entry/Object ID
001446Tags
Richard G BullScope and Content
Key Details
Recipient: Richard Bull
Organization: I Fighter Command, Ground Observer Corps
Course Completed: Aircraft Recognition
Rating Earned: Recognition Observer
Date Issued: June 16, 1943
Signatory: Glenn O. Barcus, Brigadier General, U.S. Army Commanding
Historical Context
The Ground Observer Corps (GOC) was a Civil Defense program where civilian volunteers—often referred to as "skywatchers"—were trained to identify enemy aircraft.
Because radar technology was still in its infancy and didn't cover every mile of the coast, the Army relied on people like Richard Bull to sit in observation towers and report plane sightings via telephone to "filter centers." The I Fighter Command specifically oversaw the air defense of the Eastern United States.
Notable Features
The Wings: The certificate features a large, light-blue set of wings in the background, a symbol synonymous with Army Air Forces aviation.
The Signature: Brigadier General Glenn O. Barcus was a significant figure in military history; he later became a Lieutenant General and played a major role in the tactical air operations during the Korean War.