a6skin9 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #1 Posted July 8, 2011 Just picked this up from my local surplus store who acquired it from the deceased vet's estate. I have no info on the vet. Staff Sergeant, Armament Specialist, USAAF Headquarters ssi and 8th Army Air Corps ssi. Both ssi are felt. This is a converted 1st pattern Model 1939 service coat. Does anyone have an idea of what the light blue rectangle above the left breast pocket is for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsakers85 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #2 Posted July 8, 2011 I believe that blue felt rectangle indicates combat service for the 8th AAF. Wings would be pinned over it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinO Posted July 8, 2011 Share #3 Posted July 8, 2011 I believe that blue felt rectangle indicates combat service for the 8th AAF. Wings would be pinned over it. Seconded, wing backing. VERY nice looking Ike! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a6skin9 Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted July 8, 2011 Thanks for the info. So if I wanted to restore this jacket for display what do I need to add to it? I am out of my realm when it comes to Air Corps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nedwiar Posted July 8, 2011 Share #5 Posted July 8, 2011 Thanks for the info. So if I wanted to restore this jacket for display what do I need to add to it? I am out of my realm when it comes to Air Corps. Bombideer wings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsakers85 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #6 Posted July 8, 2011 As it's not an officer's jacket, you just need a pair of WWII air crew wings and enlisted men's collar disks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted July 8, 2011 Share #7 Posted July 8, 2011 I have always understood that the blue rectangle behind the wings designated active combat air crew. Once a person was taken off off active flight status they were not entitled to wear the blue background. The blue box designated those actually flying combat missions. As for wings I think Ariel Gunner wings or Crew Chief Wings would be more appropriate for an enlisted man's jacket. The Bombardier position was usually held by and officer. I have never seen an enlisted bombardier, but as with all this stuff there may have been exceptions to the rule. An Air Medal and and ETO ribbon would also be appropriate for that jacket. Aside from all that, you have a really nice piece there. The patches are terrific. Well done on finding a very nice jacket. Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinO Posted July 8, 2011 Share #8 Posted July 8, 2011 I have always understood that the blue rectangle behind the wings designated active combat air crew. Once a person was taken off off active flight status they were not entitled to wear the blue background. The blue box designated those actually flying combat missions. As for wings I think Ariel Gunner wings or Crew Chief Wings would be more appropriate for an enlisted man's jacket. The Bombardier position was usually held by and officer. I have never seen an enlisted bombardier, but as with all this stuff there may have been exceptions to the rule. An Air Medal and and ETO ribbon would also be appropriate for that jacket. Aside from all that, you have a really nice piece there. The patches are terrific. Well done on finding a very nice jacket. Dennis Late in the war you began seeing NCO bombardiers, as with the big formations all they had to do was toggle the switch after the leader. I would think bombardier or possibly crew chief. The sleeve triangle would rule out aerial gunner IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted July 8, 2011 Share #9 Posted July 8, 2011 thats a great ike jacket. 8th AAF uniforms are really desireable and are getting harder to find with a combat aircrew patch. if you can get an id on the vet that could help in the restoration. great find :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Philip :w00t: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted July 8, 2011 Share #10 Posted July 8, 2011 As it's not an officer's jacket, you just need a pair of WWII air crew wings and enlisted men's collar disks. I agree its a cut down four pocket and quite commonly done by tailors in england.The Bomg is really an armament speacialist triangle.Granted he may have been a togglier but I would bet he was a gunner.I would go with Air crew or Gunners wings.The armament patch and the 8th AF patch are both english made.The combat crew blue backer is always a great addition on the uniform.Normally see this on the guys who were there early. RD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted July 8, 2011 Share #11 Posted July 8, 2011 Late in the war you began seeing NCO bombardiers, as with the big formations all they had to do was toggle the switch after the leader. I would think bombardier or possibly crew chief. The sleeve triangle would rule out aerial gunner IMO. I know a vet personally who flew on the B24 "EARTHQUAKE MAGOON" He wore a cog wheel speciaty patch.He was the Flight Engineer who was also the top ball gunner.He was the Highest ranking NCO on the aircraft also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a6skin9 Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted July 8, 2011 Here is a close up of the patches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmoore456 Posted July 8, 2011 Share #13 Posted July 8, 2011 Here is a close up of the patches. Put the blue patch under a bright light, you might be able to see an outline of the wing. I have one that you could distinctly make out an aerial gunner wing. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustinO Posted July 8, 2011 Share #14 Posted July 8, 2011 Put the blue patch under a bright light, you might be able to see an outline of the wing. I have one that you could distinctly make out an aerial gunner wing. Ray This is some smarts right here! Great idea Ray! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a6skin9 Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted July 9, 2011 So I went back to the surplus store and picked up this M-1939 service coat belonging to the same gentleman and was able to get the name of the former owner, Herbert Smith. There are 512 Herbert Smith's listed on the NARA site and I found one with the last four of 3226 which is inked in the converted jacket. Field Title Value Meaning ARMY SERIAL NUMBER 33543226 33543226 NAME SMITH#DREWRY#HERBERT#### SMITH#DREWRY#HERBERT#### RESIDENCE: STATE #3 Undefined Code RESIDENCE: COUNTY 127 Undefined Code PLACE OF ENLISTMENT 3386 RICHMOND VIRGINIA DATE OF ENLISTMENT DAY 30 30 DATE OF ENLISTMENT MONTH 10 10 DATE OF ENLISTMENT YEAR 43 43 GRADE: ALPHA DESIGNATION PVT# Private GRADE: CODE 8 Private BRANCH: ALPHA DESIGNATION NO# No branch assignment BRANCH: CODE 02 No branch assignment FIELD USE AS DESIRED # # TERM OF ENLISTMENT 5 Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law LONGEVITY ### ### SOURCE OF ARMY PERSONNEL 0 Civil Life NATIVITY 33 VIRGINIA YEAR OF BIRTH 24 24 RACE AND CITIZENSHIP 1 White, citizen EDUCATION 2 2 years of high school CIVILIAN OCCUPATION 581 Skilled mechanics and repairmen, motor vehicles MARITAL STATUS 6 Single, without dependents COMPONENT OF THE ARMY 7 Selectees (Enlisted Men) CARD NUMBER # # BOX NUMBER 0674 0674 FILM REEL NUMBER 1.191 1.191 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted July 9, 2011 Share #16 Posted July 9, 2011 Great finds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Ragan Posted July 9, 2011 Share #17 Posted July 9, 2011 Late in the war you began seeing NCO bombardiers, as with the big formations all they had to do was toggle the switch after the leader. I would think bombardier or possibly crew chief. The sleeve triangle would rule out aerial gunner IMO. Aerial Gunners could be awarded the armament triangle, and enlisted toggeliers would wear other wings appropriate to an enlisted man such as aircrew or gunner. Bombardiers were awarded those wings after graduation from bombardier school and either made a flight officer or a 2nd Lt. The armament triangle could be awarded to a man who started out as an armorer or transfered to that speciality after first being rated an aerial gunner. Early on in WWII, some bombardiers were indeed enlisted, but this was before the introduction of bombardier wings in Sept. 1942. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renfield Posted July 9, 2011 Share #18 Posted July 9, 2011 Very nice uniforms. It looks like the armament triangle is English made. The stubby wing 8 is also great. Display them proudly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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