Richard O. Jones

This piece of “sweetheart jewelry” originally belonged to Mrs. E. Jones, the wife of a USAAF ground crew member who had been assigned to the 569th Bomb Squadron during the war. Sweetheart jewelry was a popular and fashionable way for people back on the home front to demonstrate their support of the war effort by showing support for their loved ones. This earring sports the prop and wings emblem (a symbol that was commonly used in the Army Air Force) – a perfect way for the wearer to tell people exactly which military branch their significant other was serving in.

“Sweetheart pins” such as this one would have been worn by someone whose spouse was serving in the military overseas, and were a fashionable way for people on the Home Front to demonstrate their support for the war effort on a personal level. This particular pin belonged to Mrs. E. Jones, the wife of Richard O. Jones, a ground crew member assigned to the 569th Bomb Squadron.