thehellrazor Posted January 27, 2013 Share #1 Posted January 27, 2013 Hi all, I have just purchased my first original A-2 jacket. The actual jacket is really nice, however I am dubious on the story that came with it. It is meant to be named to Harry G Mason, 305 BG, however there is no name in it, and the stamp in the back only says M-2232. Could some perhaps help with any confirmation that this is Masons serial number please? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted January 27, 2013 Share #2 Posted January 27, 2013 the M with 4 digits is a serial number.With enlisted they used the first letter of the last name(in this case M) and if the last 4 digits of his serial number could be confirmed you may have a match.With the M in fromt of the serial numbers you may have a match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted January 27, 2013 Share #3 Posted January 27, 2013 Here's a Harry G. Mason from Mt. Dora Florida on the National WWII Memorial Registry: http://www.wwiimemorial.com/registry/search/pframe.asp?HonoreeID=196070 ACTIVITY DURING WWII BOMBARDIER AND LATER GROUP LEAD NAVIGATOR, 305TH BOMB GROUP, 364TH BOMB SQUADRON, CHELVESTON, ENGLAND. AWARDED A SILVER STAR, AIR MEDAL, DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, PURPLE HEART. Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted January 27, 2013 Share #4 Posted January 27, 2013 If that is the same person who owned the jacket, looks like it could be an interesting story. Could you post photos of the jacket? Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted January 28, 2013 Share #5 Posted January 28, 2013 Here is some more info on Mason,I'm guessing this is the action for which he received the Silver Star http://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/01/us/col-w-r-lawley-jr-78-world-war-ii-hero.html http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/1983/June%201983/0683valor.aspx To confirm Mason's ASN you will probably need to obtain his record from the NARA. If the jacket can be verified as Mason's it's quite an important piece of Eighth Air Force history!. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehellrazor Posted January 28, 2013 Author Share #6 Posted January 28, 2013 Hi guys, I think I will struggle to get anything out of NARA due to me not being a US citizen! I will get some photos up soon. Unfortunately the previous owner has put another name tag over the original holes for the original nametape. It still retains its original LT bars though. As I say, pictures to follow tonight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted January 28, 2013 Share #7 Posted January 28, 2013 Hi,Not being a US citizen has never been an issue(I'm also in the UK) though I've never applied directly,I always get records via Geoff at Golden Arrow http://www.goldenarrowresearch.com/ Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted January 28, 2013 Share #8 Posted January 28, 2013 Just to add,if you decide to contact Geoff I'd suggest asking him if he can obtain the award card for Mason's Silver Star,which was under General Orders #452. http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=48592 The award card should have his ASN on it. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TCSchultz Posted January 29, 2013 Share #9 Posted January 29, 2013 Anyone can access the NARA database and it's not limited to US citizens only. I ran that name and laundry mark combination through it however and got no matches for it. There were quite a few Harry G. Mason but none with that enlisted serial number. It's possible that he's not in there however as the records are not complete. Also note that the one found in the WWII Registry from FL was an Officer while that is an enlisted man's laundry mark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted January 29, 2013 Share #10 Posted January 29, 2013 Also note that the one found in the WWII Registry from FL was an Officer while that is an enlisted man's laundry mark. Hi Thomas, The same format was used for both Officer and Enlisted laundry marks. Also as an aviation cadet he would have had an Enlisted ASN until he was commissioned. The number in the A-2 could be either,depending upon when he received it,if it is indeed Mason's jacket. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DKNYC71 Posted January 29, 2013 Share #11 Posted January 29, 2013 Can we please an image of the jacket? What sort of provenance do you have with the jacket and the name? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehellrazor Posted January 29, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted January 29, 2013 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehellrazor Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share #13 Posted January 30, 2013 A2 Pic1 Ignore the nametapes that are on it at the moment, the previous owner admitted he had added these as his relative was in the USAAF. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehellrazor Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted January 30, 2013 A2 Label Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehellrazor Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted January 30, 2013 A-N Stamp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehellrazor Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share #16 Posted January 30, 2013 Remains of the Lt Bars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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