US Army Airforce AWS Observer Arm Band. The AWS was the Aircraft Warning Service established in 1941 to help identify aircraft flying over both US coasts. This armband was worn by a Thurmont member of the AWS. The AWS observers numbered in the tens of thousands and they were concenetrated within 150 miles of each coastline to watch for enemy planes and to report on any incidents involving US aircraft. In the movie "Thurmont on Parade" there is a short scene were school children are studying aircraft silhouettes similar to the ones studied by the AWS members. The AWS was disbanded in May of 1944. Does anyone have any recollection of local AWS activities or stories passed to them by family members?