Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks Chris.
Uniform
- Thread starter billrunnels
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
The "6 inch front panel gap-- hummm- maybe the British tailor forgot to include a cummerbund?"" Thanks for your service to America and our Allies in WW11- and your jacket and the fine condition in which you have kept it reflects that pride indeed.
How tall are you? When I was around 19-22 I was about the same weight at 5'7".
- Thread starter
- #24
At that time I was 5'11"
What do the ribbons signify? Also what is the patch on the right pocket?I have only one piece of my WWII uniform and it is special. The "Battle Jacket". It was made by a tailor in London and cost me $75. The red satin lining was the 303rdbg color. It was not accepted as part of the Class A Uniform Until near the end of the war when so many brought them back to the States. However, we wore them while in the UK. It was an optional item and not many purchased them. I only weighed 145 pounds then. When I put in on now there is a 6 inch gap down the front.View attachment 487684
Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
Was that emblem also worn by servicemen on leave and allowed to wear civilian dress while on leave-Stateside perhaps.??
No, as far as I know only after they were honorably disharged. When on leave, they wore there uniform as normal. The badge was then issued after they left the military, allowing them to continue wearing their uniform for up to 30 days. They also could wear it on their civilian clothing.
I may be wrong, Bill can tell us more, but soldiers were not allowed to wear civilian clothes even when on leave stateside during WW2.
- Thread starter
- #30
We were to be in uniform when on leave. However, I wore civilian clothes when at my home town and I have a feeling most did when home.
The discharge badge, called "The Ruptured Duck", was stitched on my jacket just before I departed the base at Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Last edited:
GrauGeist
Generalfeldmarschall zur Luftschiff Abteilung
I always thought that the "Ike Jacket" was sharp looking and Bill's is a fine example!
That style was also carried over into the civilian world in several forms. Case in point: when I managed a Texaco in the arly 80's, my jacket was referred to as the "Eisenhower Cut" by the uniform company that supplied my crew. Loved it, as it not only looked great, but was extremely comfortable.
And as it turns out, I still have it after all these many years - you can see from the photo that it does follow closely to it's military namesake.
That style was also carried over into the civilian world in several forms. Case in point: when I managed a Texaco in the arly 80's, my jacket was referred to as the "Eisenhower Cut" by the uniform company that supplied my crew. Loved it, as it not only looked great, but was extremely comfortable.
And as it turns out, I still have it after all these many years - you can see from the photo that it does follow closely to it's military namesake.
- Thread starter
- #33
Sharp looking jacket
soulezoo
Senior Airman
I hadn't heard of that ribbon being called the ruptured duck before. However, it immediately reminded me of a certain B-25 piloted by Capt. Ted Lawson.
Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
Thanks-- Mr. Eagle has landed- I was 90% sure that personnel on leave, even Stateside, had to be in uniform (Class A's??) at least for Commissioned Officers-0 now, thanks to you and Mr. Bill R.- I know that info. Also was a good policy, at least in WW11- you knew right away that person was serving his/her Country, with honor and pride..
I believe the main reason soldiers were forbidden from "owning" civilian clothing during WW2, was not to distinguish them as servicing with honor and pride, but rather to make desertion more difficult.
- Thread starter
- #37
Ribbons left to right: Air Medal, European Theater, Victory Medal.
- Thread starter
- #38
My home was a small town in Missouri so I could get away with wearing civilian clothing. However, if going up town or attending public functions I wore the uniform.
A fellow air medal recipient. I earned two air medals for combat operations in Iraq. Not the same as earning them over Nazi Germany I know, but they are tge two awards I am most proud of.
- Thread starter
- #40
My complements. You have every right to be proud.