American Red Cross uniform & cap - 8th Air Force

[knifeguy]

Here's a neat one I picked up in a grouping. 

Nice red cross tunic and cap. Named inside with tag..this one was in a b17 pilots footlocker. I have no clue as to how he acquired it.  

 

 

 

[otter42]

Very nice! Why would there be an air corp patch on it? Thanks for sharing. 

[knifeguy]

Not sure. Maybe she was somehow attached to his unit . This came from b17 pilot Clifford e magnuson. Pilot of the sad sack. shot down over northeastern Italy. 

 

 

[otter42]

Oh my gosh! All those survival compasses where in that one man's group? Amazing collection!

[knifeguy]

Yes was part of grouping. Alot of neat history to read up on magnuson and the b17 'sad sack'. I have been culling through the grouping dispositioning certain items. 

[manayunkman]

Excellent group.

 

He had a thing for compasses!!

[Veltro66]

Hello, this is an amazing collection. I'm writing about the March 18, 1944, mission in which Magnuson was shot down. Is the picture of the B-17 with "sad sack" from the collection, and is the jacket on display somewhere, or is it part of your collection?  This is great memorabilia. 

 

Jim 

[knifeguy]

Someone else has the jacket. 

 

I was lucky enough to meet with magnusons grandson 😆 

[Salvage Sailor]

On 12/22/2023 at 6:14 PM, otter42 said:

Very nice! Why would there be an air corp patch on it? Thanks for sharing. 

 

ARC Military Welfare Service workers were assigned to major commands throughout the ETO and other theaters.  In the ground units, particularly Infantry Divisions, they stayed just behind the lines but had selected trained representatives (infantrymen) who would bring welfare messages to the troops in the field when in contact with the enemy forces.  They also trained rescue swimmers in the assault units who would dive in, unstrap a soldiers pack, webgear, etc. and get them to the surface during amphibious landings and major river crossings.

 

 

 

8th Air Force

 

 

 

 

 

 

Military Welfare Service (Male) Overseas Uniform

 

 

 

Second "Two" Corps

January 1945 Lee Harris of the American Red Cross brings coffee to US Army Private First Class Joe Bergles near Loiano, Italy

 

CBI

 

 

 

[Veltro66]

knifeguy. 

 

Do you have contact information for the grandson?  I wonder if he has a picture of his grandfather and crew during the war...