ID’D WW2 LEATHER A-2 FLYING JACKET “SLOW BUT SURE” 457TH BOMB GROUP

ID’D WW2 LEATHER A-2 FLYING JACKET “SLOW BUT SURE” 457TH BOMB GROUP

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$4,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 534-43

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This very fine condition A-2 jacket was worn in WW2 by Lt. Neil C. Schroeder. He was a B-17 navigator with the 749th Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in England. Additionally, he served in Korea and Vietnam.

The Type A-2 flying jacket was standardized by the U.S. Army Air Corps on May 9, 1931 under Specification No. 94-3040 and Drawing Number 30-1415. It served as the iconic intermediate flight jacket for pilots, bombardiers, and aircrews throughout World War II.

Offered here is Lt. Schroeder’s WW2 jacket. Of typical construction with single back panel, stitched-down shoulder epaulets, and two ventilation grommets under each arm. Lined with cotton in typical reddish-brown shade. Two front patch pockets with snap-down flaps. Closed with a heavy-duty front zipper (Talon) protected by a leather wind flap. The collar also features snap-down points, and throat has a metal hook-and-eye clasp. Seamless wool worsted knit cuffs and waistband. Condition is very fine overall with only light soiling on inside lining, and wear to the cuffs (a large “pull” on left cuff). Original paint remains strong with no cracking or flaking. Specific details of note are: Leather 1st lieutenant bars sewn to shoulder epaulettes, leather name tab with navigator’s wings sewn to left breast, 35 bombs painted on right breast, “J.A. Dubow” mil-spec label sewn in below collar (size 36), and “SLOW BUT SURE” painted across upper back. Written in the lining in ink (beneath the label) is “LT NC SCHROEDER / 0-720017 / CREW 339”.

The 457th Heavy Bombardment Group was in the 1st Air Division, Eighth Air Force. Activated 1 July 43, at Geiger Field, Washington. Composed of the 748, 749, 750 and 751 Heavy Bombardment Squadrons. During its tour of operations in the European Theatre of Operations the 457th completed 236 missions over enemy territory, including 18 attacks on Berlin area. Operations covered period from 21 February 1944 to 20 April 1945.

Neil Campbell Schroeder was born 27 Aug 1924, in Cook County, IL. He entered military service in 1942, getting his navigator’s wings upon graduation at Hondo Army Airfield, Texas. Schroeder also served during Korean War and Vietnam. Retiring as a Lt. Colonel he was awarded the Air Medal, Bronze Star, and Army Commendation Medal. He died in 2016 and is buried in Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, Dixon, California.  [jet][PH:L]

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