tsakers85 Posted March 23, 2014 Share #1 Posted March 23, 2014 I was visiting my parents over the weekend in Southeastern Oklahoma, Little Dixie for those from Oklahoma, and dropped into an antique shop in Checotah, Oklahoma. I have been here several times but never seen a stitch of militaria, or masonic material for that matter, and have never purchased anything. I made the circuit through the booths and in the very last booth I stepped in I saw something incredible. I checked the price tag and it read "Would make great costume, $35." The item was an early US Air Force Formal Evening Dress Uniform, with the gold tone USAF buttons and gold bullion trim. It also happened to be a general officer uniform and named in the pocket. The name read "Lt. H.F. Gregory, 4/26/37. The uniform belonged to Brigadier General Hollingsworth F. Gregory. I suspect Gregory had a formal uniform made as a young Air Corps officer in 1937, kept it throughout his career, and had it re-tailored in the 1950s to conform to USAF regulations. He lived in Tulsa, Oklahoma, working in the aerospace industry after retirement from the Air Force. He died in 1978 and the uniform managed to stay in Oklahoma all this time. So, amazing finds are still out there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted March 23, 2014 Share #2 Posted March 23, 2014 Very cool! Here's his USAF Bio: http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/106908/brigadier-general-hollingsworth-f-gregory.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted March 23, 2014 Share #3 Posted March 23, 2014 You have a very rare USAF formal evening dress uniform, that began life as an Army uniform but which was modified with the gold USAF buttons to become "the first uniform adopted by the US Air Force and is probably one of the most elusive uniforms found in the repertoire of USAF uniforms." These were adopted in 1948, had a wear out date of 1955 and the gold buttons were used through 1959. You can read about it at http://usafflagranks.com/usaf_formal_evening_dress_uniform.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted March 23, 2014 Share #4 Posted March 23, 2014 By the way, if you read the link you will see that there was a similar civilian formal outfit with tails that was modified for Air Force wear, but this one is the "US Army Full Dress uniform with transitional gold buttons [which] is rare." The converted Army full dress uniform was the one authorized through 1955, while the civilian version with gold USAF buttons and cuff trim was worn through 1959. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patriot12 Posted March 23, 2014 Share #5 Posted March 23, 2014 Great find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted March 23, 2014 Share #6 Posted March 23, 2014 NICE! D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted March 23, 2014 Share #7 Posted March 23, 2014 We have a topic on this kind of uniform at http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/23190-us-air-force-formal-tail-coat-mess-dress/ It shows later examples of the ones with silver buttons and trim: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsakers85 Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted March 23, 2014 Just found a photo of Gen. Gregory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsakers85 Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share #9 Posted March 23, 2014 By the way, if you read the link you will see that there was a similar civilian formal outfit with tails that was modified for Air Force wear, but this one is the "US Army Full Dress uniform with transitional gold buttons [which] is rare." The converted Army full dress uniform was the one authorized through 1955, while the civilian version with gold USAF buttons and cuff trim was worn through 1959. Oh I could hardly contain myself when I saw the sleeve trim and spotted the stars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garandomatic Posted March 23, 2014 Share #10 Posted March 23, 2014 Any idea of his WWII service? I think I see a Bronze Star, maybe Purple Heart there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted March 23, 2014 Share #11 Posted March 23, 2014 Any idea of his WWII service? I think I see a Bronze Star, maybe Purple Heart there. The bio link above says, "In January 1945 he became assistant chief of staff for Intelligence of the Seventh Air Force on Saipan and Okinawa," That's probably where he received the Bronze Star. He had a lot of service by the time WWII started and as the military began it's rapid expansion, guys with his years of experience were not sent to the front lines as flyers, but generally held staff and command jobs. You see a lot who never left the US during the war, so that 7th AF job must have been coveted by the stateside desk jockeys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bakchos215 Posted March 23, 2014 Share #12 Posted March 23, 2014 Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal. No Purple Heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsakers85 Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share #13 Posted March 23, 2014 The bio notes a French Legion of Honor as well, but I don't see one. What I believe I do see is the Army Commendation Medal and Philippine Liberation Medal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted March 23, 2014 Share #14 Posted March 23, 2014 Just fantastic! A pre-war Air Corps tailcoat has been top of my "wants list" for some time so I am just a tad jealous!. Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted March 23, 2014 Share #15 Posted March 23, 2014 I will add though that he was a pioneer in rotary wing, so while he spent most of the war in the USA, he did so, in part, as a test pilot for autogyros and helicopters: "After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Mississippi in 1926, Gregory worked for several years as a Mississippi high school principal (Official Air Force Biography, 1956). In 1928 Gregory enlisted in the U.S. Army as a flying cadet and attended the Primary and Advanced Flying Schools at Brooks Field, TX. The following year, after receiving his wings and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps, Gregory began his military flying career as a fixed wing pilot. In 1935, the Army purchased its first direct control autogyros. They were sent to Langley Field, VA to be tested by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics or NACA. In 1936, while stationed as the Engineering Officer with Flight E of the 16th Observation Squadron at Fort Sill, OK, Gregory was picked to be one of the autogyro test pilots (Gregory, 1944). The Army saw the autogyro’s future as a reconnaissance aircraft because of its slow flight capability. Gregory’s technical background and his experience in observation squadrons made him ideally suited to be the senior officer in charge of the autogyro test program at Langley. " That's from http://www.justhelicopters.com/HELIARTICLES/tabid/433/ID/4211/US-Army-Air-Force-Rotorcraft-Pioneers.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grovb Posted March 23, 2014 Share #16 Posted March 23, 2014 nice find with cool history. thanks, Brandyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted March 23, 2014 Share #17 Posted March 23, 2014 WOW! That was a great find! Thanks for sharing! Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbraun Posted March 24, 2014 Share #18 Posted March 24, 2014 I'll give you $45... :-) Nice. B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsakers85 Posted April 9, 2014 Author Share #19 Posted April 9, 2014 And here is General Gregory's tailcoat back from the cleaners with new minis and vintage wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blitzkrieg gsd Posted April 10, 2014 Share #20 Posted April 10, 2014 Very cool my man I love it congrats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now