This group comes with original photo, and personal letter. The photo was taken of the Admiral in 1950 at work. Designated a naval aviator in 1924, Admiral Van Deurs served as a pilot with Torpedo Squadron Four, then Observation Squadron Three, the first squadron to operate regularly from catapults, based in the Memphis. After four months with Observation Squadron One, he served as flight instructor, later test pilot, at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola. In 1929 he reported to the Asiatic Station and had three years' duty in Scouting Squadron Eight, based in the Jason, with temporary additional duty as aviator observer at Singapore and in the Netherlands East Indies. Returning from the Far East in 1932, he served as test pilot at the Naval Air Station, San Diego. He then was flight officer of Scouting Squadron One, based in the Ranger, and additionally CO of the experimental Cold Weather Test Detachment of planes in that ship.  He was then CO of Patrol Squadron 23 at Pearl Harbor. He was superintendent of the Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, and handled rapid expansion of training occasioned by the outbreak of World War II. In 1943 he became Chief of Staff, Commander Air Force, South Pacific, contributing to operations in New Georgia and Bougainville. He then had duty as CO of the Chenango, providing air support for seizure of Morotai and Leyte. In 1945 he served as chief of staff to Commander, Battleship Squadron One aboard the Tennessee, participating in bombardment of Okinawa. After the war he was Commander Task Force Group 55.2 and Commander Naval Forces, Kyushu, Japan, during the occupation. In 1947 he was CO of the Philippine Sea and then served in aviation planning with CNO until his retirement in 1951. (USNI).

Do not expect perfect photos. Often old photos have small creases and tears around the edges.