Item:
ON3821

Original U.S. WWII B-24 Liberator 11th BG Lucky Dog Named A-2 Flight Jacket

Item Description

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. SGT. J. BLAKELY was an aerial gunner on the B-24L/M Liberator bomber "Lucky Dog" in the 11th Bomb Group (The Grey Geese). This group saw action all over the South Pacific and were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 (Sgt. Blakely was not present at Pearl Harbor). Initially part of the 7th Air Force they were later transferred to the 13th. They started with B-17's and later flew B-25's and B-24’s. This jacket features the nose art of B-24L/M Liberator bomber "Lucky Dog", which was assigned to the 26th Bomb Squadron, 11th Bomb Group, 7th Air Force.

The 11th Bomb Group started its life as the 11th Observation Group which was established on 1 October 1933, but not activated. The group was redesignated as the 11 Bombardment Group (Medium) on 1 January 1938, although not activated until 1 February 1940. Later that year it became a heavy bombardment unit. The group fought in combat in the Pacific Theater of Operations with Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Consolidated B-24 Liberators. The 11th Bombardment Group earned a Navy Presidential Unit Citation for its actions in the South Pacific from 31 July to 30 November 1942. It participated in the Central Pacific; Air Offensive, Japan; Guadalcanal; Northern Solomons; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific; Ryukyus and the China Offensive before its inactivation in 1948.

The interior of the jacket is stamped with the owners name and serial number:

 

SGT. J. BLAKELY

11088754

Records indicate that JOHN BLAKELY was from Boston Massachusetts, and was born in 1916. He enlisted as a Private on September 8th, 1942 into the Army of the United States. After that he rose through the enlisted ranks to Sergeant.

The tag inside this size 42 jacket has information regarding the maker and contract:

 

TYPE A-2

DRAWING No.30-1415

ORDER No.42018777-P

PROPERTY

AIR FORCE U.S. ARMY

-------

UNITED SHEEPLINED

CLOTHING CO.

LONG BRANCH, N.J.

The jacket features some exceptional painting including:

- Painted nose art of the B24 "Luck Dog" which is a bikini clad woman holding a small dog.

- Painted 11th Bomb Group crest of a fist on a shield and three grey geese.

- Painted aerial gunner wings.

- CBI insignia on left shoulder.

Offered in good condition with some areas of cracking by the shoulders, but overall solid, supple and with original lining, waistband and cuffs. Easily some of the finest art we have ever seen on an A-2 jacket, this is not one to miss.

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