P-40 “Ace of Pearls” Low Top Canvas Shoes
P-40 42-10888, named “Ace of Pearls,” was flown by 2nd Lt. Herman “Ace” Lawson of the 99th Fighter Squadron in Madna, Italy, in December 1943. Lawson, a replacement pilot, had survived two engine failures in P-40s, one of which led to a crash in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite these challenges, Lawson adopted “Ace of Pearls” as his own aircraft and continued to serve in combat for 18 months. He later flew a P-51B, also named “Ace of Pearls.