Monthly Archives: March 2016

ORIGINAL & IDENTIFIED WWII 14th AIR FORCE, 308th BOMB GROUP PILOT’S A-2 FLIGHT JACKET GROUPING – DECORATED SQUADRON COMMANDER. ORIGINAL WWII USAAF ISSUE A-2 FLIGHT JACKET GROUPING PAINTED MISSION BOMBS TO CHEST & STRIPES TO RIGHT SLEEVE INCLUDES COMPLETE FOUR POCKET DRESS COAT & DOCUMENTS ORIGINAL 1946 COPY OF SEPARATION DOCUMENT ORIGINAL BRONZE STAR CITATION MAJOR RAYMOND BOURKE MacDONALD SQUADRON COMMANDER 14th AIR FORCE, 308th BOMB GROUP PLEASE READ ENTIRE DESCRIPTION. They took the heaviest combat losses of any Group in China and often broke my heart by burning thousands of gallons of gas only to dump their bombs in rice paddy mud far from the target. When the Army Air Force Headquarters in Washington tallied the bombing accuracy of every bomb group in combat, I was astonished to find that the 308th led them all. General Claire Lee Chennault, Commanding Officer, 14th Air Force. Is for an ORIGINAL World War Two Unites States Army Air Forces Issue A-2 Flight Jacket Grouping that is NAMED to Major Raymond Bourke MacDonald of Butte, Montana (he was known as “Bourke” MacDonald). Every Item is GUARANTEED Authentic, Original and to Have Belonged to and / or Been Worn By Major Raymond Bourke MacDonald During World War II (except the obituary). Major MacDonald began his distinguished career with the US Army Air Corps on 29 MAY 1941 and served with the Famous and Hard Fighting 14th Air Force, 308th Bomb Group through Numerous Campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters. Major MacDonald earned the Bronze Star Medal while serving as Squadron Commander of one of the 14th Air Forces, 308th Bomb Group’s Heavy Bombardment Squadrons from. 1 April to 15 August 1945 and the details of the award can be seen in the image of the citation that we have provided. A full list of his campaigns and awards can be seen in the image of the separation document that we have provided here as well. We obtained this grouping from the Original Collector whom is a Very Advanced Collector of A-2 Flight Jackets. He informed us that due to his age, he decided to “thin out” his large collection and we were fortunate enough to obtain this grouping from him. He also informed us that when HE obtained the grouping some thirty years ago that the Original Painted Leather 14th Air Force Patch and Leather Name Tag that you see here on the jacket had become detached from the jacket due to the thread becoming weak and breaking. He had them professionally restitched in as close to the same manner as the original stitching as he could. The Leather Patch and Name Tag Are Original WWII and Original To the Jacket, they have only been restitched since the war. The Jacket Displays Beautifully and is a Museum Quality Example that Remains in an Excellent State of Preservation. Original WWII USAAC / USAAF Issue A-2 Leather Flight Jacket – VERY GOOD CONDITION. Jacket Maintains EXCELLENT Leather that shows only light signs of age, wear and use. The Leather is NOT Heavily Worn and Has NO Weak or Thin Areas. The Shoulders, Back and Elbows Show only Minor Wear and are NOT Worn Thin Like Most A2 Flight Jackets that we see. The Collar Remains in Very Good Condition with light wear to the top edge and ALL Leather Remains Thick, Soft and Flexible. The Jacket Looks and Feels as Though it Could Be Worn Today. The Snaps and Clips to the Collar Remain in Place, but show age and very light corrosion that can be seen in the photos and we are sure it cold easily be cleaned away. The Jacket Maintains its ORIGINAL LINER In GOOD CONDITION with no tears, rips or thin areas. The Contract Tag to the Collar Appears to Have Been Covered with a Large Leather Tag that was Stitched to the Interior During the War and has now faded. The Leather Hanging Tab was Removed for Placement of the Leather Tag and the stitching remains visible to the rear of the jacket. The Ink Stamped Name of R. MACDONALD Can Be Seen Stamped to the Liner, Below the Leather Tag. It has faded with age, but remains clearly visible. There is One Small Wartime Repair to the Viewer’s Upper Right of the Liner, Just Below the Collar. This Jacket was definitely worn during WWII and Based On Major MacDonald’s Long Service and wartime repairs to the jacket, this is Most Likely the ORIGINAL Jacket He Was Issued Early in the War. It Bears a Well Worn WAR TIME Replacement “RAPID” Zipper that FUNCTIONS PERFECTLY as Well as WAR TIME Original Replacement Cuffs and Waistband. The Cuffs and Waistband Show Age and Wear with a Few Snags and Moth Nips to the wool, but NONE are Readily Apparent and Do Not Detract from the Flight Jacket’s Appearance. It is VERY Hard to tell that they are replacements and this can only be determined by CLOSE Examination of the Stitching. An Excellent, Careful Job was done when replacing the cuffs and waistband and they look excellent. A good job was done on replacing the zipper as well, however the pull on the zipper does show age and use. Rapid Brand Zippers were used in US Army clothing during WWII, but were not nearly as common as the Talon or Crown brand zippers we normally see in flight jackets of this type. We have seen this brand on field jackets and HBT clothing in the past. To the RIGHT CHEST the Jacket Bears Numerous Hand Painted White Mission Bombs. They are quite faded with paint loss, but the Majority Remain Visible. To the LEFT CHEST the Jacket Bears Its ORIGINAL 14th Air Force Painted Leather Patch / Insignia in VERY GOOD CONDITION. The patch shows age, wear and minor fading, but remains very solid with very good color and detail. There is NO paint loss and only very minor cracking to the paint. As previously stated, this the original leather patch, but was restitched to the jacket by the original collector many years ago. The Leather Name Tag Above the Patch Remains in Excellent Condition and Reads R. It shows wear and age, but also remains very solid. This Leather Name Tag was Also Restitched to the Jacket and Evidence of where both it and the patch were restitched is visible to the interior lining of the jacket. The Jacket is a Nice Size and By MY Measurements is a SIZE 42 Regular. The MEASUREMENTS ARE: CHEST = 21 Inches From Armpit to Armpit When Zipped and Laying Flat; SLEEVES = 25 Inches From Top Shoulder Seam to the Edge of the Wool Cuff; BACK = 18 Inches From Shoulder Seam to Shoulder Seam Measured Across the Upper Back, Just Below the Collar. Original WWII US Army Air Forces Officer’s Four Pocket Dress Coat – VERY GOOD CONDITION. This Coat is Also NAMED to Major MacDonald and bears the Handwritten Name R. MacDonald on the Tailor’s Tag to the Inside of Interior Pocket. The EXTERIOR of the Coat is in Very Good to Excellent Condition and shows only very minor signs of age, wear and use. There is NO Mothing, Soiling or Staining to the Coat Itself and It Maintains Very Good Color. There is one pencil point sized moth nip to the wool of the belt located to the viewer’s right of the buckle. There is also a spot of wear located to the rear of the right shoulder that is approximately the size of a nickel. To the LEFT Shoulder the Coat Maintains its Original Stitched Edge 14th Air Force Insignia / Patch in Excellent Condition with NO soiling, staining or fading and remaining as firmly stitched to the coat as the day it was sewn on. To the Left Sleeve near the Cuff the Coat Maintains THREE Overseas Service Bars also in Excellent Condition and remaining firmly stitched. The shoulders maintain their original Pin Back Major’s Rank Insignia in Excellent Condition with no visible damage or defects. The Lapels Maintain their Original WWII “US” and USAAF Winged Propeller Insignia in Excellent Condition, but with post war clutches. The RIGHT Chest Maintains its Original Pin Back Distinguished Unit Citation Ribbon in Very Good Condition and Showing Minor Fading to the Blue Ribbon. To the LEFT CHEST The Coat Maintains its ORIGINAL Set of STERLING AMCRAFT PIN BACK WINGS in GOOD to VERY GOOD CONDITION. The wings show age and wear, but remain very solid and display quite well. The Wings are Undamaged and All Markings to the Rear Remain Clear. The Pin and Clasp Remain Undamaged and the clasp functions as intended. Also, to the left chest the coat maintains its original ribbons to Include the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with TWO Oak Leaf Clusters Signifying Multiple Awards. The Ribbons are Also Pin Back and vary from Good to Very Good Condition. The Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon is missing Two of its Bronze Stars. The Coat Maintains its Original Belt in Very Good Condition with only one pencil point sized moth nip to the front that is quite hard to see. The buckle shows considerable wear to the gold finish, but displays well. The Coat Maintains all of its Original Buttons in very good condition and remaining firmly stitched. The INTERIOR of the Coat remains in FAIR to GOOD CONDITION, showing age and wear in the form of loose and damaged stitching to the liner. The liner has separated in the area where it meets the wool of the collar and to the viewer’s left at the skirt. The liner shows age, wear and use, but no readily apparent soiling or staining. However, there is Fading and Discoloration that can be seen in the photos. The damage to the stitching of the liner is not visible when the coat is displayed. The Coat is a Nice Size and By MY Measurements is a SIZE 40 REGULAR. The MEASUREMENTS ARE: CHEST = 20 Inches From Armpit to Armpit when Buttoned and Laying Flat; SLEEVES = 22 3/4 Inches From Top Shoulders Seam to Cuff; BACK = 18 3/4 Inches From Shoulder Seam to Shoulder Seam, Measured Across the Upper Back, Just Below the Collar. Original WWII Bronze Star Citation, Original Copy of USAAF Separation Document & Copy of 1973 Obituary – EXCELLENT CONDITION. Original Black Copy of Major MacDonald’s Military Separation Document that lists such information as his dates of service, campaigns and battles, qualifications, unit and medals/awards received until that date. The Document Remains Undamaged and All Information Remains Very Clear and Easy to Read. Printed on heavy stock paper that has no creases, folds or damage of any sort. Original Bronze Star Medal Citation is on “Onion Skin” paper that is very thin, but remains undamaged with no tears or folds. There is some light rust staining and it can be seen where it was once held in place by a rusty paperclip. Citation details Major MacDonald’s achievements as the Squadron Commander of a Heavy Bombardment Squadron from April to August of 1945. We have Conducted No Further Research and we are Unaware at this Time Which Bomb Squadron he was in Command Of. The copy of Major MacDonald’s obituary is from the 7 APRIL 1973 Montana Standard Newspaper and gives considerable information about Major MacDonald’s Life and even some good details regarding his service with the 14th Air Force During WWII. ALL Documents you receive are a wealth of information regarding Major MacDonald and his service with the 14th Air Force during the war. The documentation will provide you with more than enough information to conduct further research on this collection if you so choose. Overall, this is an outstanding collection of items from a true World War Two Hero. Major MacDonald saw extensive service during some of the darkest days and heaviest aerial combat of the Pacific Theater. His service with the Famous and Hard Fighting 308th Bomb Group is well documented as is his heroism. This is truly a museum quality grouping for the most advanced collector. The items are in beautiful condition for display and are in need of absolutely nothing. You will be VERY pleased with this grouping when you see it and VERY proud to add it to your collection. PLEASE examine all photos closely and ask any questions that you may have. PACKAGES VIA UNITED PARCEL SERVICE (UPS) GROUND. WE AS WELL AS OTHER BUSINESSES IN OUR AREA HAVE HAD TOO MANY PACKAGES GET LOST OR TERRIBLY DELAYED GOING THROUGH JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. WE ARE A RECENTLY RETIRED MILITARY FAMILY WITH AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN MUSEUMS, ENGINEERING AND MILITARY HISTORY. WE GO TO EXHAUSTIVE LENGTHS TO BRING YOU THE BEST MILITARY ANTIQUES AVAILABLE ON THE MARKET TODAY. WE OBTAIN MANY OF OUR ITEMS FROM OUR DEAR FRIENDS WHO ARE EITHER ADVANCED DEALERS OR ADVANCED COLLECTORS AND IN SOME CASES, BOTH! WE ALSO OBTAIN ITEMS AND GROUPINGS FROM FELLOW HISTORIANS AND FELLOW COLLECTORS WISHING TO “THIN OUT” THEIR COLLECTIONS. ” WE ALSO ACQUIRE SOME PIECES LOCALLY AS WE ARE IN A “HISTORY RICH AREA OF THE GULF COAST. WE ARE A FAMILY BUSINESS AND EVERY MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY IS INVOLVED. WE ARE ALL COLLECTORS OF MILITARY ANTIQUES, EVEN OUR VERY YOUNG SON. WE TRY TO DESCRIBE EVERY ITEM WE SELL TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND TAKE THE BEST, MOST DETAILED PHOTOS THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN. MEANING THAT WE DO NOT SELL FAKES, REPORDUCTIONS OR ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN ALTERED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE MISLEADING OR THEIR HISTORICAL VALUE IS DESTROYED. OUR MAIN PURPOSE IS TO WHOLE HEARTEDLY PRESERVE THE HONOR AND INTEGRITY OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US AND WERE WILLING TO DIE IN DEFENSE OF FREEDOM, DEMOCRACY AND OUR GREAT NATION. WE WILL NEVER DO ANYTHING TO DISHONOR THEIR SERVICE, THEIR MEMORY, OURSELVES OR OUR CUSTOMERS. WE SERVE YOU WITH HONOR AND ARE COMMITTED TO OUR FELLOW VETERANS AND TO YOU AS OUR HIGHLY VALUED CUSTOMERS. THIS IS OUR PLEDGE. WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS WE CAN. IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO SELL ONE SINGLE ITEM OR AN ENTIRE COLLECTION, PLEASE LET US KNOW. Don’t Forget to “Like” Us on FACEBOOK at Old Patriot Militaria and Follow Us on INSTAGRAM at Old_Patriot_Militaria for our Latest Updates and More! We are in the Process of Creating a Valuable Resource for Military Antiques, Research and Military History Related Topics of Interest. The item “IDENTIFIED WWII 14th AIR FORCE, 308th BG PILOT’S A-2 FLIGHT JACKET GROUPING” is in sale since Thursday, March 24, 2016. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Militaria\WW II (1939-45)\Original Period Items\United States\Uniforms”. The seller is “geauxusa” and is located in Gulf Breeze, Florida. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States