15th Air Force group

[Ray42]

Thought I would share some of my nicer recent finds with the group. One will be coming in tomorrow’s mail call, but the first group is an eBay find which consists of several named uniform from the 15th Air Force. The pair are nicely marked to Lt. Don*ald M Ro*un. Lt Ro*un was born in Rhode Island and served with the 460th BG in Italy being awarded the DFC and 4 air medals. The 460th BG flew B-24s from Italy to strike targets deep in Europe such as France, Germany, and Romania. I’ve yet to determine what crew position Lt Roun had because the 460th roster information I have found does not list it, but I am hopeful to find that out eventually.
 

The uniforms themselves are very interesting, the first is a custom tailored summer weight uniform styled to look like an Ike jacket. It is well made and interestingly marked but unfortunately has had its patch and insignia removed. The second uniform is a tan summer weight jacket with a nice bullion Army Air Corps patch still present. I am not sure why this isn’t an 15th AF patch, but it appears Italian made so I think it is from his time overseas and not later service. Unfortunately, the insignia have been removed from this one as well but they have made interesting research projects and should make equally good restoration projects. Thanks for looking.

[I Hate Moths]

I like the cut down jacket.  If there was ever a worthy candidate for patch restoration, that's it.

[Ray42]

Thanks, it’s not a true cut down jacket because it never was a 4 pocket jacket to begin with but I have always wanted one and this is close enough to the look for me. 
 

The only issue I have restoring it is the question in my mind of whether it would have had a 15th AF patch or a normal AAF patch like the other. I hate not knowing and feeling like I may restore it wrong.