Flight Jacket named to LT W.R. Stevens U.S.N

[ParaOps]

A friend, who owns a second-hand shop in Australia, received a named leather Pilots jacket and he sent me some photos to try and determine if it's wartime, post war or a modern reproduction?

 

I thought I'd post some photos on the forum to request some opinions from more experienced collectors.

Thanks for any information.

 

Paul

[jerry_k]

It is a M445a US NAVY WW2 winter jacket in great shape. Be careful in this example, and for sure, do not wear it! Leather is so thin and can rip very quickly...

 

 

 

[ParaOps]

Much appreciated for your reply Jerry. I will pass on your description and advice to my friend. 

 

Thanks

 

Paul

[adda91]

It 's not a reproduction 

War time jacket with the name plate of the pilot. 

Nice jacket !

[aznation]

I believe this is the person whose jacket that belonged to.

 

SOURCE:  Find-A-Grave

 

 

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Commanding Officer of VPB-139, the "Vee-Bee's", in 1943 flying PV-1 Ventura bombers in Alaska

 

 

See page 567 --->> HERE

 

 

 

 

[aznation]

SOURCE:  Newspapers.com, Ancestry.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ancestry - William Randolph Stevens - Print.pdf

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Extract from the History of Patrol Bombing Squadron 139, Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area, NPS

 

• Patrol Bombing Squadron 139 (VP/VPB-139) was originally commissioned as Bombing Squadron 139 on 1 April 1943 under the Command of Lieutenant Commander George H. Hughes. On 8 July 1943 he was relieved of his command because of illness, and Lieutenant William R. Stevens of Salem, Oregon, was appointed Commanding Officer. He in turn was temporarily relieved on 22 July 1943 when Lieutenant P.W. Gill, the Executive Officer, assumed command. Lieutenant Commander William R. Stevens was reinstated as Commanding Officer on 22 August 1943.

• Lieutenant Commander William R. Stevens, Lieutenant Quentin E. Norem and Lieutenant Ralph J. Lowe, received the D.F.C. for the successful completion of various missions.
   

 

[ParaOps]

Happy New Year!

 

Apologies for my late reply as it's been a crazy time over Christmas and the New Year.

 

Thanks very much for the outstanding information about this officer and his amazing career! My friend who owns the jacket will be very pleased when I show him all the history that you have kindly discovered and to also include photos of the pilot.

 

I am once again amazed by the kindness and willingness of the forum members to assist in discoverying the history behind a piece of memorabilia.

 

Thanks once again for this information.

 

Regards

 

Paul

[aznation]

16 hours ago, ParaOps said:

Happy New Year!

 

Apologies for my late reply as it's been a crazy time over Christmas and the New Year.

 

Thanks very much for the outstanding information about this officer and his amazing career! My friend who owns the jacket will be very pleased when I show him all the history that you have kindly discovered and to also include photos of the pilot.

 

I am once again amazed by the kindness and willingness of the forum members to assist in discoverying the history behind a piece of memorabilia.

 

Thanks once again for this information.

 

Regards

 

Paul

 

No problem Paul and Happy New Year to you as well.  Always happy to assist and I know your friend will appreciate the information.  Take care...Matt