Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Share #1 Posted October 10, 2015 I acquired this 98th BG grouping direct from the veterans estate sale yesterday. The veteran, Milton H. Erdmann, is still living but under the care ,unfortunately, of his family due to deteriorating health. The 98th BG is well known for its August 1, 1943 raid of the Ploesti oil refineries. Mr. Erdmann did not partake in this raid as he did not begin participating in bombing missions with the 344th BS in Italy until towards the end of 1944 and continuing through the end of the war. He was also a 1943 graduate of my alma mater, Michigan State University, and later became a professor of crop and soil sciences at MSU. Included in this group are his flight jacket with some great patches (no painting on the back), A-11A flight gloves, leather flight trousers and air medal with two oak leaves. Also included are 3 pairs of wings, various pins, 1 dog tag, and PUC, hospital slippers and a wrist compass. Both canteen covers and canteen are dated 1942. Interesting there is a Gold Star Mothers pin with the initials HHL and an unusual ring with what appears to be a bomber on the face. Oh and almost forgot to mention an unopened pack of Chiclets chewing gum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted October 10, 2015 The jacket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted October 10, 2015 98th BG patch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted October 10, 2015 Painted leather 15th USAAF patch on the left shoulder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted October 10, 2015 Painted U.S. Flag patch on the right shoulder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted October 10, 2015 A-11A gloves, size large Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navybean Posted October 10, 2015 Share #7 Posted October 10, 2015 nice jacket great grouping. looks like it is possibly a re-issued A-2 or possible Vet moved his name tag. either way nice grouping and best way to find them straight from the vet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted October 10, 2015 The extras Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted October 10, 2015 The wings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #10 Posted October 10, 2015 Air medal with two oak leaves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted October 10, 2015 PUC with oak leaf, the ring, and the Gold Star Mothers pin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted October 10, 2015 Last but not least, the Chiclets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #13 Posted October 10, 2015 nice jacket great grouping. looks like it is possibly a re-issued A-2 or possible Vet moved his name tag. either way nice grouping and best way to find them straight from the vet. Thanks! I'm guessing he had to remove is name tag to make room for the BG patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted October 10, 2015 Share #14 Posted October 10, 2015 Very grouping nice indeed!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmoore456 Posted October 10, 2015 Share #15 Posted October 10, 2015 Nice group. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAHOOMAN Posted October 10, 2015 Share #16 Posted October 10, 2015 Nice Grouping. Is the Air Medal engraved? Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #17 Posted October 10, 2015 Nice Grouping. Is the Air Medal engraved? Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately, no. I have yet to find an engraved air medal with a group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted October 10, 2015 Share #18 Posted October 10, 2015 I love 98th BG material. I have a number of groups from the 98th from early in the war, but have never found an A-2. This one is outstanding. Nice find! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted October 10, 2015 Share #19 Posted October 10, 2015 Terrific grouping...the A2 looks to be incredible condition! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #20 Posted October 10, 2015 I love 98th BG material. I have a number of groups from the 98th from early in the war, but have never found an A-2. This one is outstanding. Nice find! Kurt Thanks Kurt! This is my first A-2. I've actually found quite alot of information about the 98th online. I was hoping to get lucky and find a crew photo but haven't yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share #21 Posted October 10, 2015 Terrific grouping...the A2 looks to be incredible condition! Ian, this jacket is in fantastic condition. The leather is still very soft, no rips or tears to the liner either. The zipper is fully functional as well. No mention to how they found it but apparently it must have been stored in ideal conditions to prevent damage. Possibly hanging in a closet all these years versus being stuffed in a trunk? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted October 10, 2015 Share #22 Posted October 10, 2015 Nice big group. ..Congrats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
empireguns Posted October 10, 2015 Share #23 Posted October 10, 2015 Was a great find I wish i wasnt so far away from the sale. I am envious of you. good going to get it all and keep it together. Terrific A-2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted October 11, 2015 Share #24 Posted October 11, 2015 Very Nice set! Thanks for posting it. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted October 11, 2015 Share #25 Posted October 11, 2015 I always see estate items, but yet I never see anything like this listed. Its also funny how no one ever shares secrets of where to look..... Thats an awesome group! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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