Original U.S. WWII B-17 “Rebel Queen” Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Bombardier Lt. Charles A. Huggins’ Painted A2 Flight Jacket - 94th Bomb Group
In stock
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the outstanding A-2 Flight Jacket of Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient & Bombardier Lieutenant Charles A. Huggins, 94th Bombardment Group, who served aboard the B-17 “Rebel Queen” during 26 missions in France and Germany. The jacket is beautifully painted to the back with the Rebel Queen but there is heavy wear and paint loss. We were able to source his DFC Citation, which reads:
For extraordinary achievement while serving as Bombardier of a B-17 airplane on twenty-five heavy bombardment missions over enemy occupied Continental Europe. Through the courageous application of his bombing technique in battle, Lieutenant Huggins has directly aided in the destruction of important enemy installations on each of these twenty-five missions among which were the operations over Frankfurt, Germany, 4 February 1944; Rostock, Germany, 20 February 1944, and Munster, Germany, 11 March 1944. The courage, coolness, and skill displayed by Lieutenant Huggins on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Huggins’ A-2 Jacket has lovely paint work to the reverse. On the left breast is his name tag, reading CHARLES A HUGGINS. The interior retains the original data tag:
TYPE A-2
DRAWING NO. 30-1415
CONTRACT NO. W535ac29191
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY
BRONCO MFG. CORP.
NEW YORK, N.Y.
36
The interior lining appears to be original but may be a period replacement. The knit cuffs and waistband appear original but have heavy tearing and damage as shown. The leather also is torn up a bit around the collar as shown. This example was certainly worn on some of his 26 missions. The zipper is marked CROWN and still works fine.
The back of the jacket depicts a B-17 flying over the text REBEL QUEEN. An outstanding display piece.
Charles A. Huggins entered the USAAF in May 1942, and served in England from October 1943 with the 94th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. He flew 26 missions as Bombardier aboard the B-17 “Rebel Queen”, being awarded the the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. There is certainly more research to be done!
This is an outstanding jacket to a DFC Recipient Bombardier. Several printed pages of research come with the jacket. Comes ready for further research and display.
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