Some time ago I acquired this Afghan banknote signed by several American and British officers. Traditionally, this is what is called a "short snorter" and this is penned across the top of the note. As I began researching the names, I discovered that these men may have been part of a special operation or mission. Below the scans of the note (the second enhanced to better see the handwriting) I have listed the men and what I know about them. Willard S. Wilson (American)--pioneer wireless operator; owned radio stations in the 1910s-1930s; worked with the Navy on wireless systems on at least one battleship; Lt. Col. Air Corps ***In 1942, had office in Washington, DC William R. Wilt, Jr. (American)--I believe him to be a Navy radio operator (RO1/c) but records show his entire service was aboard the battleship USS Pennsylvania Melvyn Douglas (American)--Hollywood actor with the USO Larry Barry (American?)--unknown but appears there is the rank of major following his signature Anthony Bull (British)--Royal Engineers; Lt. Col. in the Army in India; at one time on Lord Mountbatten's staff ?. ? McCarthy? (American?)--signed as Lt. Col. ????? (British)--signed as Royal Engineers W.C. Choy (Chinese)--famous tennis pro who escaped Japanese occupation Vance D. Almond (American)--electrical engineer; with the US Army Sidney Dagg (British)--Royal Signals; famous for 1936-37 expedition to Tibet to set up wireless communications; Signals staff officer (Lt. Col.) with the Army in India; Sidney John Dagg H. Hodgman (British)--Royal Signals; on staff (as Maj.) with Dagg; Herbert Malcolm Robert Hodgman Paul H. Jorgenson (British)--Royal Engineers; 2nd Lt. (?) with the Army in India; Paul Henrik Jorgenson H.B. Somerville (British)--Royal Engineers; Henry Benson Somerville Charles M. Blackmon (American)--Signal Corps; rank of major or better at this time ***In 1942 and 1943, assigned to Washington, DC, including Arlington Hall Station, the Army's HQ for Signal Intelligence Service (this was like the Bletchley Park of the US! Basil W. Henderson (American)--Signal Corps; rank of major or better ***In 1943, was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, DC A.D. Savage (American)--Believe this to be Allen Dale Savage, and officer in the Engineers who helped build the Burma Road ???? (American?)--signs as a captain in the Signal Corps I am hoping some of the members who have access to British military records might be able to identify the other men and perhaps discover what the group was doing. It seems that with all these officers in senior positions and with such specialized background, they must have been part of some operation or mission in the CBI. I had though that it could have been when the American and British collaborated to send radio/wireless systems to Tibet in 1944. However, the information I can find on line is quite limited. I look forward to hearing comments and suggestions.
