digi-shots Posted November 2, 2015 Share #376 Posted November 2, 2015 I've had the uniform for a little more than a year now. I don't believe any of the 4 crew members are still living. I've been able to locate families of two fellows (one on the left and on the right). What's interesting is that they both had the same identical "4 man crew" photo. The image I posted is one that was emailed to me. The uniform belonged to the pilot on the left. His NARA records do indicate service in the IB Theatre. He had over 500 combat hours and 200 combat missions between April 1945 to November 1945. Even though his uniform shows a single Air Medal, his records indicate that he should have 2 Oak Leaf Clusters on it. Here's the write up on his Air Medal w/ 2nd Oak Leaf: For meritorious achievement while participating in more than one hundred hours of aerial flight over territory in Burma and China where exposure to enemy fire was probable and expected. Flying unarmed aircraft over hazardous terrain these pilots and this crew member accomplished the transport of supplies and personnel and evacuation of wounded. Their devotion to duty and degree of efficiency reflect credit upon themselves and upon the Army Air Forces of the United States. From 3 August 1945 to 23 November 1945. The son of the fellow in the photo on the right said his father talked of "supporting the British 14th Army in retaking Rangoon, a ground loop in a C-46 overloaded with gasoline and hauling Chinese Troops in China". His dad's leather jacket is on display at the Museum of Aviation at Warner Robins, AFB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted November 2, 2015 Author Share #377 Posted November 2, 2015 Looks like an incredible story! With a four man crew I was assuming (and rightly so) that it was a Hump pilot group for a C46 or C47. Feel free to share more on him if you have it. CBI is the best! You can also do another write-up in the uniform section if you would like. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted November 2, 2015 Share #378 Posted November 2, 2015 Here's the inside pocket label dated 2/44 - "Made to Measure, Blackland Field Exchange" He was stationed at Blackland in Waco, Texas from 2/10/44 to 4/15/44 for "Advanced AT-17 70:50". He stayed at Blackland from 4/16/44 to 5/2/44 "Awaiting asgmt. Instructor" according to the NARA Description of duties. From there he went to Syracuse, NY for "Pilot TE C-47". Blackland Army Airfield, Waco, TexasArmy Airfield used for advanced flight training, the purpose being to prepare pilots for flying multiengine, aircraft such as the P-38 Lightning and bombers like the B-26, B-17, and B-24 Liberator.Training aircraft included the AT-8, AT-9, AT-10, and the B-25 twin engine medium bomber Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted November 2, 2015 Share #379 Posted November 2, 2015 He's kneeling on left in this pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digi-shots Posted November 2, 2015 Share #380 Posted November 2, 2015 Yes, he was a "Hump Pilot"... he was qualified in both C-47 and C-46. From what I can see in his records, while in the CBI Theater, he flew C-46. There's a good chance that the uniform I have is the same one in the photo below... taken with his girlfriend and future wife. I doubt that a young pilot could afford two uniforms, and from what I can see, both views of the felt patch show a bit of hand sewing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguy1986 Posted December 4, 2015 Share #381 Posted December 4, 2015 Just found this one and brought it back to life after it was stripped of all pin-on insignia. Luckily, this airman wrote his name in the jacket, and the seller included a shirt with his laundry code, so identifying this one was fairly easy. This gunner graduated from aerial gunner school in late 1943, as shown in this notice in the Eugene (Oregon) Register-Guard on 12/19/43. Within a few months, he was assigned to the 7th Bomb Squadron, 34th Bomb Group, 8th AAF, and flew with their B-24 Liberators from May through August 1944. Now shown is the armament specialist triangle on the lower right cuff. I'm quite glad to finally have a combat blue backed example in the collection. It really is a pleasant feeling to successfully restore these stripped uniforms back to how they used to look. Many thanks to the forum members who helped me out with a couple of the ribbons! -- Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share #382 Posted January 21, 2016 bump Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY Militaria Posted January 21, 2016 Share #383 Posted January 21, 2016 The uniform component of a CBI Brigadier General. I also have a lot of letters, photos, and paperwork fro him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted January 21, 2016 Author Share #384 Posted January 21, 2016 hold smokes Justin!!! That is so amazing - Would love to see more if possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CNY Militaria Posted January 21, 2016 Share #385 Posted January 21, 2016 If you go to my website in my signature, there is more detail on that group on the "WWII" Page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Jack Posted January 21, 2016 Share #386 Posted January 21, 2016 Officer's TW uniform, 5th AF, PTO. The entire uniform is outstanding, but the visor cap...what can I say other than it's fantastic! Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgehead30 Posted January 21, 2016 Share #387 Posted January 21, 2016 I bought this last night at a local auction. I had to buy ten different lots to put it back together but it was worth it. The wings had me baffled so I posted them in this thread, Page #11 Post #264. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/196253-is-this-wing-good-post-you-advice-requests-here/page-11 The auction was from one consignor so I'm fairly confident that all of these uniform pieces go together. They are not named but there is info in the slacks. I'm still digging to come up with a name, as I'd really like to track down the Officer's identity. Some interesting points. The coat has a regular fabric belt. The shirt has a Far East Air Forces patch. The Major's insignia are marked "Rolled Gold". The wing is not sterling and not hallmarked. The third breast button was repaired and reattached upside down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgehead30 Posted January 21, 2016 Share #388 Posted January 21, 2016 More Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgehead30 Posted January 21, 2016 Share #389 Posted January 21, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgehead30 Posted January 21, 2016 Share #390 Posted January 21, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedgehead30 Posted January 21, 2016 Share #391 Posted January 21, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doinworkinvans Posted January 22, 2016 Author Share #392 Posted January 22, 2016 Wedge - great set up! Glad you were able to put this back together. As has been said about that those wings being early war/ pre-war or possibly even a test sample...that would jive with the way this uniform feels. Hope you can get to the bottom of it! Thanks for sharing! Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konig Posted January 24, 2016 Share #393 Posted January 24, 2016 397th Bomb Group, 596th BS uniform. Flew B-26's. The uniform is made from worsted type wool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted January 24, 2016 Share #394 Posted January 24, 2016 397th Bomb Group, 596th BS uniform. Flew B-26's. The uniform is made from worsted type wool. Nice one Konig. 4th Air Force, looks like a combat patch on there too, 9th Air Force we take it. What was his rank, must of been metal pins right as they're not present, like removed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konig Posted January 24, 2016 Share #395 Posted January 24, 2016 Hi... yes 9th airforce theater made patch on other shoulder. Believe he was a lt and later a captain...and yes there are pin holes on the shoulder board area. Ive never seen the wool type before.. it sort of glints in the sun and has a very soft feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted January 24, 2016 Share #396 Posted January 24, 2016 Here's my latest contribution: Paul Carll. Very busy man, flew a ton of hours with the 57th FG, 64th FS, in North Africa and Italy. Had three aerial victories! Part of a large grouping that includes the original oil painting of two of his P-40s, two of his worsted tan uniforms, a large panoramic photo of a P-47 pilots' reunion, a whole box of VHS tapes (some are reunion videos), a 65th FS kill sign, and even his silk escape map from North Africa. Eventually, one of his P-40s and one of his P-47s will be on the shelf below. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDK Posted January 24, 2016 Share #397 Posted January 24, 2016 Looks like a nice group! Cool set to a early 57th FG guy. JD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted January 24, 2016 Share #398 Posted January 24, 2016 Thanks! If I get a chance, I'll post some of the other bits, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted January 25, 2016 Share #399 Posted January 25, 2016 12th AAF uniform: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted January 25, 2016 Share #400 Posted January 25, 2016 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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