Original U.S. WWII 9th Air Force Airborne Troop Carrier Communications Specialist Uniform Jacket & Shirt with Aircrew Wings and Bullion Patch
In stock
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII enlisted uniform grouping worn by a Sergeant and Communications Specialist associated with the Ninth Air Force and Airborne Troop Carrier operations in the European Theater. The grouping consists of the service jacket and matching uniform shirt, both displaying Aircrew insignia, while the jacket carries an impressive assortment of unit, rank, specialist, overseas service, and campaign insignia.
All U.S. tactical air support units in Great Britain were consolidated under the Ninth Air Force on October 16, 1943, commanded by Major General Lewis H. Brereton. At the same time, IX Troop Carrier Command was activated, having been constituted by USAAF Headquarters five days earlier. Its headquarters was initially established at RAF Cottesmore, taking control of a provisional troop carrier headquarters created by the Eighth Air Force in September. IX Troop Carrier Command later moved to Grantham and, on September 20, 1944, transferred to Ascot, Berkshire, its final headquarters location in Europe.
Troop Carrier units played a vital role in Allied airborne operations, transporting paratroopers, towing gliders, moving supplies, and evacuating casualties. Communications personnel were essential members of these organizations, maintaining the radio and communications systems required to coordinate aircraft, crews, and ground operations.
The service jacket bears an Airborne Troop Carrier patch on the left shoulder and a particularly attractive bullion Ninth Air Force patch on the right shoulder, with a separate AIRBORNE rocker positioned above it.
Sergeant chevrons are present on both sleeves. The lower left sleeve carries three overseas service bars and two service stripes, while the right cuff bears a Communications Specialist insignia identifying the wearer’s technical specialty.
The collar retains both U.S. and Army Air Forces collar discs. Above the right breast pocket is the Honorable Discharge Emblem, commonly known as the “Ruptured Duck.”
Above the left breast pocket is a three-place ribbon bar representing:
Good Conduct Medal
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four campaign stars
American Campaign Medal
Positioned above the ribbons is a set of Sterling marked Aircrew wings. A WWII Victory Medal ribbon was also found inside one of the jacket pockets.
The jacket is size marked:
36L
The accompanying uniform shirt provides particularly strong evidence that the two pieces were worn together. A set of cloth Aircrew wings is sewn directly above the left breast pocket, corresponding with the Sterling Aircrew wings worn on the service jacket.
The shirt is size marked:
14 1/2 - 34
Together, the Ninth Air Force bullion insignia, Airborne Troop Carrier patch, communications specialist badge, Aircrew wings, overseas bars, campaign ribbons, and corresponding insignia on the shirt make this a particularly appealing WWII Army Air Forces uniform grouping. The combination reflects the service of an enlisted aircrew and communications specialist connected with the troop carrier forces that supported Allied airborne operations in the European Theater.
Approximate Measurements:
Jacket
Collar to shoulder: 9 1/2 inches
Shoulder to sleeve: 26 inches
Shoulder to shoulder: 15 inches
Chest width: 18 inches
Waist: 16 inches
Hip: 21 inches
Front length: 32 inches
Shirt
Collar to shoulder: 9 1/2 inches
Shoulder to sleeve: 24 inches
Shoulder to shoulder: 16 1/2 inches
Chest width: 21 inches
Waist: 19 1/2 inches
Hip: 19 inches
Front length: 32 inches
- This product is available for international shipping.
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