December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
Great WWII USAAF Type A-2 flight jacket that was worn by Staff Sergeant Walter Marsh who was a tail gunner on a B-24 in the 98th Bomb Group, 345th Bomb Squadron. Marsh is mentioned in an interview with Dean Gillham who was the ball turret gunner on Marsh's B-24. During the interview there is no particular information revealed about Marsh except that as of 2012 he and Gillham were the last two survivors of their crew. The 98th Bomb Group started the war attached to the 9th Air Force and would later be attached to the 12th Air Force and finally the 15th Air Force when it was inactivated in 1945. During the war, the 98th BG accumulated an impressive combat record which included several notable missions in the ETO including the Ploesti raid. The exterior of the jacket displays wonderful features including a leather name strip that is stitched to the left breast that reads “S/Sgt W. Marsh”. Underneath the name strip is a beautiful Italian made 98th Bomb Group patch. The hand painted patch is embossed on leather and is in very good condition for its age, and it still has bright colors and crisp lines. The right breast of the jacket has an equally attractive Italian made patch that is also hand painted and embossed on leather. The patch depicts a multicolored map of Europe and is surrounded by 50 bombs denoting the missions that Marsh flew during his time in the 345th Bomb Squadron. The left shoulder has a nice Italian made 15th Air Force patch that like the others, is also hand painted and embossed on leather. The word “Connecticut” is printed on the top and the bottom scroll reads “98 Bomb Group”. There is ghost stitching on the right shoulder and it appears there was once an American flag patch sewn to the shoulder at one point. The jacket retains its original liner and specification tag. The tag has faded but reads "Type A-2 / Drawing No. 30-1415 / Order Bo. W535 A.C. 27798 / Property / Air Force U.S. Army / J.A. Dubow MFG. CO. Chicago, ILL. / 38”. The zipper is original and is marked “Talon”. There is no artwork on the back of the jacket, but it is still a very attractive display piece especially with the Italian made patches. Included with the jacket is a copy of a period photo of Marsh wearing what is undeniably the same jacket that was taken in Italy on April 2, 1945. CONDITION: The leather is a bit stiff but still pliable. There is some separation on the 98th Bomb Group patch as about 1/3 of the stitching has come loose. There is a tear on the left shoulder where it connects to the epaulette. There is a greenish paint stain to the lower back of the left arm. The cuffs and waistband appear to be original to the jacket and are in excellent condition. The leather does have slight cracking in typical areas. There are two sets of stitch holes around the patches on the chest indicating that the patches were once removed and later sewn back on the jacket. The interior of the jacket is in rough shape as the liner is heavily worn. There are several tears, probably from removing the jacket while wearing other flight gear and possible post war use. Overall a very nice ID'D A-2 jacket complete with a picture of the airman wearing the jacket during the war. JD
Item Dimensions: 24" x 26"
Paperwork
Document Copies and photographs