BMc Posted January 6, 2014 Share #1 Posted January 6, 2014 This blouse was found in a box of military clothing at a local estate sale. The veteran, Harry Long. He survived a ditching in the North Sea after the raid on Peenemunde and countless sorties with the 710 BS, 447th BG. Thanks to Oz and the great folks at www.forum.armyairforces.com, I read two primary source accounts of the ditching in the North Sea. Harry survived the war and got a job with the BNSF railroad. On a ride home from Chicago Harry was in the last car of a train that was struck by another train as it entered Naperville, IL in April 1946. If interested read the book The Tragedy at the Loomis Street Crossing. Spinner. 2012. Regarding the PF patch. I have learned that aircraft equipped with special radar were referred to as "pathfinder bombers." A crew picture came with the blouse and one crew member is described as the "Mickey operator." So this crew, pilot Henningsen, was clearly a lead aircraft and completing a pathfinder mission. Any other examples out there of the pathfinder patch being worn by aircrew an? Thanks to those who served in the mighty 8th! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMc Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share #2 Posted January 6, 2014 Goldfish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMc Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted January 6, 2014 Aircrewman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMc Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted January 6, 2014 PF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMc Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share #5 Posted January 6, 2014 8th AAF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMc Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted January 6, 2014 Int. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheskett Posted January 6, 2014 Share #7 Posted January 6, 2014 That is one nice looking jacket. Nice find. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted January 6, 2014 Share #8 Posted January 6, 2014 B Been waiting for you to post this one.Great uniform and glad the research worked out.THis is one for the books. Ran into a 8th vet once who wore the OSS/SOE wing on his uniform.He was a B24 pilot.They often would drop agents into Norway or France.Had a great story of a Norweigian Major they took over on several trips. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carbinephalen Posted January 6, 2014 Share #9 Posted January 6, 2014 What a jacket!! We all dream of finding one like that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC Posted January 6, 2014 Share #10 Posted January 6, 2014 WOW, fantastic jacket. Thanks for sharing it with the forum. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted January 6, 2014 Share #11 Posted January 6, 2014 That is one seriously rare and absolutely beautiful example. To find a jacket with just one of those 2 patches (Goldfish or Pathfinder) is hard enough, let alone finding one that has BOTH. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMc Posted January 6, 2014 Author Share #12 Posted January 6, 2014 Ron, Bob, Kurt and all, Thanks for taking time to comment. I hope more documentation will join this grouping. BMc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguy1986 Posted January 6, 2014 Share #13 Posted January 6, 2014 Wow. What an incredible jacket! Interestingly enough, a family friend of ours grew up near Peenemunde as a young boy, so I always like to see anything associated with that area. Congratulations on the find and the great research. -- Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ghost Posted January 6, 2014 Share #14 Posted January 6, 2014 Wonderful jacket, thanks for sharing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted January 6, 2014 Share #15 Posted January 6, 2014 Ticks all of the boxes....and then some! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted January 6, 2014 Share #16 Posted January 6, 2014 Absolutely stunning jacket. Thank you so much for sharing it. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted January 6, 2014 Share #17 Posted January 6, 2014 I am speechless on this one - great story and beautiful jacket! Show it here would be great so we can all see it for reference! http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/186494-show-your-aaf-uniforms/ Hopefully you can keep researching and find out more! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vernon Posted January 6, 2014 Share #18 Posted January 6, 2014 Outstanding. Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted January 6, 2014 Share #19 Posted January 6, 2014 As others have said, this jacket has all the bells and whistles! This would definitely be a centerpiece of any USAAF uniform collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted January 6, 2014 Share #20 Posted January 6, 2014 Wowsa! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KySoldier Posted January 6, 2014 Share #21 Posted January 6, 2014 Bravo !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torch03 Posted January 6, 2014 Share #22 Posted January 6, 2014 Very nice jacket! Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted January 6, 2014 Share #23 Posted January 6, 2014 That's a Great uniform! Its sure got all the bells and whistles! Congrats! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted January 8, 2014 Share #24 Posted January 8, 2014 Absolutely stunning jacket! It is great to see both the Pathfinder wing and "Goldfish Club" patch on a uniform, not something seen very often. Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corpsmancollector Posted January 8, 2014 Share #25 Posted January 8, 2014 Just to echo the comments of other members here; what a STUNNER! Thanks for posting, Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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