Letter from Switlik Parachute Company

This letter from the Switlik Parachute Company officially welcomed Richard to the Caterpillar Club following his emergency parachute bailout over Belgium on April 12, 1944. The Switlik company manufactured the parachutes used by Allied airmen during World War II.

The Caterpillar Club was named after the silkworm, as early parachutes were made of silk. Membership was granted to anyone who successfully used a parachute to save their life in an emergency. Along with this letter, Richard received the distinctive gold caterpillar pin with a ruby eye.