US Navy WWII pilot's uniforms from the thrift store

[Bob Hudson]

This was a fun find at one of the local thrift stores this past week: three uniforms that belonged to WWII US Navy pilot WM Hopper (I haven't been able to find anything about him). The uniforms each have a tag like this with the date 1944:

 

 

The tan uniform coat has a lot of mothing, but the other two - the dress blues and aviator greens - are in good shape and even came with the pants and the bullion wings! I come across a lot of Navy officers dress blue coats but this is the first time I've ever found one with the pants, to say nothing of the wings.

 

 

 

 

Each jacket also has the makers tags and the officers monogram (WH):

 

[Ricardo]

Hi,

 

Great sets ... nice to see three uniforms of one same person, still more a naval pilot of the WW2!

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

[Bob Hudson]

Hi,

 

Great sets ... nice to see three uniforms of one same person, still more a naval pilot of the WW2!

 

Best regards,

 

Ricardo.

 

I've gone back to the store twice since I bought those, hoping his hats would show up, but no such luck

[KASTAUFFER]

Nice set! I checked to see if he shot down any planes in WWII and he was not on the list.

 

Kurt

[Bob Hudson]

Nice set! I checked to see if he shot down any planes in WWII and he was not on the list.

Kurt

thanks... Is that a book?

[KASTAUFFER]

thanks... Is that a book?

 

 

There is a book published by Frank Olynyk that shows all kills by USN aviators and another for USMC pilots. I believe they are both out of print though. I bought mine used about 10 years ago for $100 . Best money I ever spent.

 

Kurt