CBI Liaison Pilot L. Carroll

[Jhos71]

A grouping I picked up from a local shop a few years ago. Carroll’s uniform jacket remains on display at the shop despite my attempts to purchase it. Several other items were also sold off prior to finding these. Carrol entered the Army Air Corps in 1942 and flew 116 missions as a liaison pilot over China, Burma and India earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The photo of Carroll was shared in the local newspaper with a brief article on his service/life.

 

Can anyone identify the pants and jacket? The labels are gone, but his name and laundry number remain visible in both. The pants also appear to be similar to those in the picture of him.

 

[manayunkman]

Looks like he’s wearing M42 jacket and pants.

 

The pants look like M42 paratrooper pants.

[Mr. Bushido]

I think so, too.

 

I wonder what kind of boots he is wearing.

Does anyone know if liaison pilot wear airborne unit boots?

[warguy]

I have a large grouping belonging to a Navigator flying B24’s with the 10th AF in the CBI theater. I had the wonderful opportunity to interview him before he passed. In the grouping, (consisting of his A2, numerous uniforms, foot locker, etc…over 125 individual items) is a pair of airborne jump boots. The boots have the beveled heel. The vet told me these boots were issued to him and other members of his squadron because the beveled heel supposedly helped keep the shroud lines from a parachute from catching in the event of a bailout. Anyway, according to this testimony, it sounds like some fliers in the AAF were issued jump boots. 

[Timberwolf]

15 hours ago, warguy said:

I have a large grouping belonging to a Navigator flying B24’s with the 10th AF in the CBI theater. I had the wonderful opportunity to interview him before he passed. In the grouping, (consisting of his A2, numerous uniforms, foot locker, etc…over 125 individual items) is a pair of airborne jump boots. The boots have the beveled heel. The vet told me these boots were issued to him and other members of his squadron because the beveled heel supposedly helped keep the shroud lines from a parachute from catching in the event of a bailout. Anyway, according to this testimony, it sounds like some fliers in the AAF were issued jump boots. 

Would love to see that group!

[Timberwolf]

19 hours ago, Jhos71 said:

A grouping I picked up from a local shop a few years ago. Carroll’s uniform jacket remains on display at the shop despite my attempts to purchase it. Several other items were also sold off prior to finding these. Carrol entered the Army Air Corps in 1942 and flew 116 missions as a liaison pilot over China, Burma and India earning two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The photo of Carroll was shared in the local newspaper with a brief article on his service/life.

 

Can anyone identify the pants and jacket? The labels are gone, but his name and laundry number remain visible in both. The pants also appear to be similar to those in the picture of him.

 

Definitely M42 jump pants to echo what Peter said, how odd to sell everything but his dress uniform.

[warguy]

31 minutes ago, Timberwolf said:

Would love to see that group!

Ask and you shall receive. Here is the post. Good luck.

 

 

[Jhos71]

5 hours ago, Timberwolf said:

Definitely M42 jump pants to echo what Peter said, how odd to sell everything but his dress uniform.

Appreciate the info from all. I know there were a few knives, but not sure on the remaining items. The uniform is stripped with exception of the CBI patch and rank. Would have been great to keep it all together. 

[Jhos71]

5 hours ago, warguy said:

Ask and you shall receive. Here is the post. Good luck.

 

 

Wow! No doubt a grail find and the A2 jacket is killer. Thanks for sharing the original post. 

[The Iron Brigade]

While the trousers are definitely a pair of Model 42 Jump Trousers, the jacket is not a jump jacket. The jacket is a version of the Mackinaw. The jacket pictured is not the jacket he is wearing in the photograph. The jacket in the photo could be a British or locally sourced bush jacket or a Model 42 jump jacket. Supply channels operated a little differently in the CBI and a liaison pilot would have had greater access to things particularly if he was anywhere near the Air Commandos or Detachment 101.