TLeo Posted July 25, 2013 Share #1 Posted July 25, 2013 I recently was very generously offered the chance to obtain these two patched and named flight jackets belonging to a Marine aviator who flew missions from Henderson Field in SBDs during his three combat tours with VMSB-234. The 234 jacket is a AN J 3A and the VMF- 225 jacket is a G-1 from around 1950 when he was flying Corsairs from the FDR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted July 25, 2013 Share #2 Posted July 25, 2013 Wow !!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HistoryNut Posted July 25, 2013 Share #3 Posted July 25, 2013 Amazing...congrats!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted July 25, 2013 Share #4 Posted July 25, 2013 Outstanding pair.Well done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack's Son Posted July 25, 2013 Share #5 Posted July 25, 2013 We assume you took the "very generous offer", and purchased them?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fly USMC Posted July 25, 2013 Share #6 Posted July 25, 2013 Very Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted July 25, 2013 Absolutely JS! These just don't come along often so am grateful to the former owner for letting me be their new caretaker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted July 25, 2013 Share #8 Posted July 25, 2013 Two at a time Tom. Don't you think you need to pace yourself a bit. Congrats, Robert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted July 25, 2013 Share #9 Posted July 25, 2013 Beautiful jackets with some great patches! Very nice!!! JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry K. Posted July 25, 2013 Share #10 Posted July 25, 2013 Talk about rare! WOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
History Man Posted July 25, 2013 Share #11 Posted July 25, 2013 Holy man! It would be great to find one but TWO, to the same man with that kind of history!?! Philip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Signor Posted July 25, 2013 Share #12 Posted July 25, 2013 AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did some leather patches a few years ago of the VMSB-234, one large "presentation" type that went to the veteran as a birthday gift and several regular sized one to the rest of the vets relatives , they sent me a photo later on that I have and cherish knowing the veteran really enjoyed having it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabrejet Posted July 25, 2013 Share #13 Posted July 25, 2013 Simply gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted July 25, 2013 Two at a time Tom. Don't you think you need to pace yourself a bit. Congrats, Robert What fun would that be? thanks for the comments guys and thought I'd post a close up of the VMF225 patch since I had one of 234's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teufelhunde.ret Posted July 25, 2013 Share #15 Posted July 25, 2013 Superb, condition is everything on these jackets. Quick buy a lottery ticket before your luck runs out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobgee Posted July 25, 2013 Share #16 Posted July 25, 2013 Great jackets! Semper Fi.......Bobgee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stony Posted July 25, 2013 Share #17 Posted July 25, 2013 Nice find to be sure! I've always preferred the Navy flight jackets as they are so much more functional than the A-2 and also more comfortable to wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted July 25, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted July 25, 2013 Thought I would add a little history on the officer. He also held LSO qualification and after an accident aboard ship with VMF-225 he was unable to fly anymore but he went on to serve as instructor at The Basic School, as CO of 2nd tank bn., 2nd division as well as HQBn 2nd division and also 2nd Bn 1st division in Korea. He also served briefly in Vietnam before retirement. His awards include the DFC, AM w/2 stars ,AP Campaign Medal w/4 stars, Occupation Medal w/ Europe clasp, Korean Service w/ 1 star. The Europe clasp is because the FDR was serving in European waters during the occupation period while he was with 225. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpstout Posted July 26, 2013 Share #19 Posted July 26, 2013 Simply outstanding! Thanks for sharing the photos, wow! regards, pat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxman Posted August 5, 2013 Share #20 Posted August 5, 2013 Absolutely stunning pair of jackets ! Lucky guy.... Best regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLeo Posted August 5, 2013 Author Share #21 Posted August 5, 2013 I received a request to see the labels on these jackets so here they are..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stony Posted August 6, 2013 Share #22 Posted August 6, 2013 I received a request to see the labels on these jackets so here they are..... The AN-J-3a came out in 1943 and was used until the 55J14 came out in 1947, which was replaced by the 7823 series that came out in 1951. Hope this helps. Cheers, Stony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxman Posted August 6, 2013 Share #23 Posted August 6, 2013 Many thanks for sharing the labels..... Best regards, Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted August 6, 2013 Share #24 Posted August 6, 2013 AN-J-3A jackets are pretty tough to find and yours is a real beauty. Especially patched up so nicely. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazelot Posted August 7, 2013 Share #25 Posted August 7, 2013 Sweet jackets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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