Original U.S. WWII AAF Named Female AWS Aircraft Warning Service Uniform Jacket & Skirt with 2000 Hour Merit Medal and Certificate of Honorable Service - Georgianna Bergan - Rare
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind Set. The Aircraft Warning Service (AWS) was a civilian service of the United States Army Ground Observer Corps instated during World War II to keep watch for enemy planes entering American airspace. It became inactive on May 29, 1944.
This is an extremely scarce uniform set identified to Georgianna Bergen, consisting of the uniform jacket, skirt, and honorable service certificate along with a great 2000 hours of service merit medal.
The certificate denotes that Bergen provided loyal and faithful service to the AWS during the war. It is signed May 9th, 1944, 20 days before the service was made inactive. The certificate measures 9¼ x 12¾”.
The jacket has great plastic buttons and a patch for the AWS on the left shoulder. On the left cuff are three blue service stripes. The collar has two very small AWS collar pins, and the right breast has a great FOR MERIT AWS badge with a 2000 Hour ladder badge.
The skirt matches the jacket well and is in similar shape.
An outstanding uniform set to a very scarce organization. Ready for further research and display.
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 8.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13"
Chest width: 18.5”
Waist: 14.5"
Hip: 17"
Front length: 27"
Skirt:
Waist: 13"
Inseam: 26"
During World War I, the airplane was not generally used as a long-range fighting machine. However, during the period from 1919 to the start of World War II, the heavy bomber was created, capable of ranging far from its home base and carrying a lethal load of high explosives. It soon became clear that a warning system was needed to protect against this new threat. Technology at the outset of World War II consisted of mechanical sound detectors that were found to be inadequate to the job. It was also argued that while soldier lookouts would be valuable, their use would detract from other needed military operations.
The answer was found in calling on civilian volunteers to act as airplane spotters. With the help of the American Legion, volunteers were organized in May 1941 into the Aircraft Warning Service, the civilian arm of the Army's Ground Observer Corps. On the east coast, the AWS was under the auspices of the Army Air Force's 1st Interceptor Command (later First Fighter Command or I Fighter Command) based at Mitchel Field, New York. On the west coast, the AWS was under the auspices of the 4th Interceptor Command (later Fourth Fighter Command or IV Fighter Command) based in Riverside, California. On both coasts, observation posts, information centers and filter centers were established. The United States entered World War II on Dec 7, 1941. Many of those who could not join the military for whatever reason were recruited to the AWS. Statistically, this led to a preponderance of women, apparent in the surviving material, but seemingly little recognized.
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