{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-31st-bomb-squadron-painted-a2-flight-jacket-of-staff-sergeant-morris-m-goldberg-recipient-of-air-medal-with-5-olcs","title":"Original U.S. WWII 31st Bomb Squadron Painted A2 Flight Jacket of Staff Sergeant Morris M. Goldberg, Recipient of Air Medal with 5 OLCs","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the great combat-worn \u0026amp; painted A-2 Flight Jacket of \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eStaff Sergeant Morris M. Goldberg, 31st Bombardment Squadron\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was awarded the Air Medal with Five Oak Leaf Clusters according to his WWII Jewish Serviceman card. The jacket is painted to the front left breast with the insignia of the 31st Bombardment Squadron, a black triangle with a white border containing a Skull and Crossbones wearing a pair of angel wings, with \u003cb\u003e31st \u003c\/b\u003eabove it and\u003cb\u003e KIAI O KALEWA\u003c\/b\u003e on the scroll along the bottom, although it is now impossible to read. There is another scroll above the insignia that likely had Goldberg’s name or nickname, but it is now too worn to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no other painted insignia anywhere on the jacket. There is moderate wear across the leather, and the knit cuffs are now heavily frayed with some material loss. The knit waist has fared better but still has some minor fraying and nicks. The exterior leather around the shoulders is tearing a bit as shown. The pocket snaps work well and the TALON zipper is retained with some loss of stitching and heavy wear. We would not recommend using the zipper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior is named in several places, both inscribed and stenciled, with\u003cb\u003e M.M. GOLDBERG\u003c\/b\u003e and his serial number, \u003cb\u003e11081734\u003c\/b\u003e. The interior retains the original data tag:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTYPE A-2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDRAWING NO. 30-1415\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.C. NO. 42-18776-P\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePROPERTY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAIR FORCE U.S. ARMY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eI. SPIEWAK \u0026amp; SONS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eNORTH BERGEN, N.J.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e42\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe interior lining has some holes and tearing as shown but it is certainly the original lining worn in combat. The leather hanging loop is retained though the lining around it is a bit torn. We were unable to find a lot of information about Goldberg, but we did find that he was born around 1921 in Massachusetts and enlisted on January 16th, 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the 31st Bombardment Squadron and received the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the \u003cb\u003epainted 31st Bombardment Squadron insignia, repeated M.M. GOLDBERG identification, matching serial number 11081734, original 1942 I. Spiewak \u0026amp; Sons contract label, Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters attribution, and extensive genuine wear\u003c\/b\u003e makes this a particularly significant surviving combat flight jacket. The damaged knits, weakened lining, worn paint, and distressed leather are all integral parts of its wartime history and preserve the character of a jacket that was clearly worn rather than retained as an unused souvenir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 11\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 24.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 19\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 20\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 20\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: 20\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 28\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45989268455493,"sku":"ONJR26SEM059","price":1495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/D41AF942-ACA7-4A94-B13D-49A59B4E0C27.jpg?v=1791838198","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-31st-bomb-squadron-painted-a2-flight-jacket-of-staff-sergeant-morris-m-goldberg-recipient-of-air-medal-with-5-olcs","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}