{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-8th-air-force-distinguished-flying-cross-recipient-b-17-semi-eager-bombardier-lt-james-f-taylor-uniform-grouping-with-british-made-ike-jacket-regulation-uniform-and-overcoat-35-combat-missions-with-486th-bg","title":"Original U.S. WWII 8th Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient B-17 “Semi Eager” Bombardier Lt. James F. Taylor Uniform Grouping with British-Made Ike Jacket, Regulation Uniform, and Overcoat - 35 Combat Missions with 486th BG","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is the untouched uniform grouping of Bombardier-Navigator 1st Lieutenant James F. Taylor, who served aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress “Semi Eager” with the 486th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. Taylor underwent 35 combat missions, including on D-Day, and was awarded the Air Medal with four OLCs and the Distinguished Service Cross. The group includes three of his uniforms, all in rough but untouched condition, and some printed paperwork confirming his DFC and some other very interesting information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJames F. Taylor joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1942, receiving his training in bombardier and navigation school in Big Springs, Texas. He received his commission on October 23rd, 1943. During his time in the service, he was awarded the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and one Distinguished Flying Cross for bravery in campaigns taking place in Magdeburg, Cologne, Merseburg, and Politz. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eProbably most notable however was Taylor's participation in the first wave of aircraft to bomb the beaches and installations on Normandy Beach during the Invasion.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe was assigned to the 486th Bombardment Group a part of the Eighth Air force. James was Bombardier aboard the \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB-17 Flying Fortress \"Semi Eager\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e which was piloted by Morris D. White. On July 4th, 1944 the aircraft had just completed a bombing mission over a Ford Plant that had been converted to mass produce weapons by the Germans. Upon this endeavour, the aircraft lost two engines, nearly all hydraulic controls, and had one of their waist gunners taken out of action by being knocked unconscious from an exploding oxygen tank. The bomber was forced to land with no breaks. Besides the fact that James had just survived an exploding aircraft emergency landing, two very notable events took place at the same time. While landing, a plane piloted by \u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGen. Jimmy Doolittle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e was circling the \"Semi Eager\", making sure it landed safely. The second event of interest was after the crew had landed. Upon inspection the ground crew noticed that all parachutes and parts of the bomber's engine and landing gear apparatus had been wired shut. To this day, it is unknown who sabotaged the crew and their plane. After this, the \"Semi Eager\" was deemed destroyed and was scrapped. After this, James would fly in the B-17 Bomber \"Lady V\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe group includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Taylor’s British-Made Ike jacket with ribbon bar and stitched bullion Bombardier wings. The interior of the jacket is red-lined, often associated with fighter pilots but also just a quirk of British-made jackets. The ribbon bar has the DFC, Air Medal with four OLCs, and ETO Campaign medal with two campaign stars. The ribbons are sewn directly to the jacket. The interior has a maker’s tag for William Graham \u0026amp; Sons Ltd. of London. There are embroidered bullion Lieutenant bars on the shoulder boards, a bullion 8th Air Force patch on the right shoulder, and Army Air Force patch on the left shoulder. The jacket has heavy moth damage to the exterior as shown, with fraying to some of the bullion. Jacket is named on nametag and maker’s tag to Taylor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Taylor’s U.S. Regulation officer’s jacket tailor-made by Elmo Wasson of Big Spring, Texas, so this was his jacket after being commissioned there in October 1943. The jacket has a stitched laundry number tape under the collar reading T-6278. It is named and dated on the tag in the pocket, September 3rd, 1943. The jacket has an AAF patch on the right shoulder, stitched bullion bombardier wings and a three-place ribbon bar with the DFC, Air Medal with four OLCs, and ETO Campaign medal with two campaign stars. The ribbons are sewn directly to the jacket. There is US and AAF collar insignia with 1st Lt. bars on the shoulder boards. There is also heavy moth damage to this uniform as well. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Taylor’s U.S. Made Wool Officer’s great coat with an Army Air Forces patch on the left shoulder and 1st Lieutenant bars on the shoulders. There is a depot tag in the pocket showing Size as 38L. There is moth tracking in spots across the coat but it still displays well with all buttons retained. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Printed pages of research on Taylor with copy of his official DFC award card and newspaper articles. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a great untouched 8th Air Force uniform grouping, worn by a bombardier-navigator who flew 35 combat missions with the 8th Air Force, including on D-Day! The story about his plane’s sabotage adds another layer of character and will make for an exciting research project. This group will look amazing displayed together in any AAF collection.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGREATCOAT:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 10\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 26.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 18\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 21\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 20\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: 26.5\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 39\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIKE JACKET:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 10\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 26.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 17.5\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 22\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 17.5\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: n\/a\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 24\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOFFICER JACKET:-\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 11\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 26.5\"\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 19\"\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 20.5\"\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 17\"\u003cbr\u003eHip: 22.5\"\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 36\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45400524849221,"sku":"ONSV25CCJ028","price":995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV25CCJ028.jpg?v=1784934268","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-8th-air-force-distinguished-flying-cross-recipient-b-17-semi-eager-bombardier-lt-james-f-taylor-uniform-grouping-with-british-made-ike-jacket-regulation-uniform-and-overcoat-35-combat-missions-with-486th-bg","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}