US Soldier Served in RAF

Hello,

The model (George Fanelli from New Rochelle) who posed for the soldier had just enlisted in the RAF in Canada. The US military would only take college grads as pilots. George Fanelli became an ace in the war and retired as a New York State Supreme Court Justice.

The young girl is his sister Josephine who became a teacher in New Rochelle.

From Keith:

Thanks for that fantastic information.

It is interesting to note that Norman Rockwell did not only paint his neighbors. He lived in New Rochelle, New York, at the time he painted this picture. What is interesting is also that this young man became a war hero just as Rockwell depicted him in the illustration.

It is also great to learn that George Fanelli excelled in life as well.

Thanks for sharing.