{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-b-17-mission-belle-distinguished-flying-cross-navigator-harry-larson-s-painted-a2-flight-jacket-uniform-and-pilot-s-navigation-kit-with-packet-of-research-885th-bomb-squadron-2641st-special-operations-group","title":"Original U.S. WWII B-17 Mission Belle Distinguished Flying Cross Navigator Harry Larson’s Painted A2 Flight Jacket, Uniform, and Pilot’s Navigation Kit with Packet of Research - 885th Bomb Squadron, 2641st Special Operations Group","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the lovely A2 Flight Jacket grouping of Navigator Lieutenant Harry W. Larson, a crewmember on the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress “Mission Belle”, of the 885th Bombardment Squadron, 2641st Special Operations Group. The 2641st Special Group was engaged in \u003cstrong\u003especial operations\u003c\/strong\u003e in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, December 1944-May 1945. The 885th Bomb Squadron operated primarily in Italy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe squadrons of the \u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Group\u003c\/strong\u003e operated specially modified B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators \u003cstrong\u003epainted all black\u003c\/strong\u003e with very limited identification markings. The 885th operated both types of aircraft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe aircrews were trained in low-altitude night operations in which the pilot, navigator, and bombardier worked together to guide the aircraft to the drop zone (DZ). This often necessitated traversing mountainous terrain followed by descent into deep valleys, in darkness, guided in the final approach by the eyes of the bombardier and the hands of the pilot. \u003cstrong\u003eFinal approach to the DZ was at an altitude of a few hundred feet at near stall speeds.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSeveral Distinguished Unit Citations and numerous commendations were awarded to the two squadrons and to the 2641st Special Group (Prov) as a result of their efforts. The 885th was awarded the\u003cstrong\u003e Croix de Guerre with Palm\u003c\/strong\u003e for operations in support of the French Resistance and a Distinguished Unit Citation for operations on the night of 12\/13 August 1944. On that date the 885th, while based at Blida Airport, Algeria, delivered a total of 18 agents and 67,000 pounds of war material to the Resistance in the south of France. The 2641st Special Group (Prov) received a Unit Citation for operations in Italy's Po Valley on the night of 17\/18 February 1945 in which both the 885th and 859th squadrons participated.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAgain, the Special Group was designated the 15th Special Group (Prov) at the time of this operation but by the time the Unit Citation was issued it had been designated the 2641st Special Group (Prov) and, according to Col. MacCloskey, the Unit Citation carried that designation.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAt the peak of its operations in February 1945, the Special Group delivered thirty-four agents and over two million pounds of weapons and supplies while operating twenty-six out of twenty-eight days and flying approximately one-half million miles. Three hundred and fifty-four successful sorties (nearly 14 per day on average) were flown out of four hundred and eighty-six attempts. The vast majority of unsuccessful sorties were the result of \"no reception\" at the target drop zones. This feat was accomplished by forty-eight aircrews, thirty-four aircraft, and their ground support personnel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese efforts were not without cost. During its brief five-month period of operation (January - May), the Special Group lost to flak, fighters and the hazards of special operations a total of seven aircraft with thirty-five crewman killed in action. These losses were on top of previous losses suffered by the two component squadrons in their prior assignments. In addition, as a result of these losses, several crewmen of the Special Group spent time in German prisoner of war camps during the last days of the war in Europe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLieutenant Harry W. Larson \u003c\/strong\u003eserved for just over 3 years and was honorably discharged and records indicate he earned the following decorations: \u003cstrong\u003eDistinguished Flaying Cross, Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf for actions that occurred on June 20th 1944, American Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal\u003c\/strong\u003e among others. We couldn’t locate Larson’s DFC Citation, making for a great research project!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIncluded in this wonderful grouping are the following items:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Stunning hand painted A-2 Leather Flight Jacket with B-17 on the reverse side and the name \u003cstrong\u003eMISSION BELLE\u003c\/strong\u003e above. The jacket is a size \u003cstrong\u003e36R \u003c\/strong\u003emade by \u003cstrong\u003eAERO Leather Company\u003c\/strong\u003e and features the original liner, functional original zipper and replacement waistband\/cuffs that were done post war so Larson could continue to wear his jacket. The interior is also marked with his laundry number, \u003cstrong\u003eL-0740\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Class A uniform jacket with Lieutenant bars, 15th Air Force patch, sterling silver Navigator wings, Presidential Unit Citation and name tag on the internal pocket named to\u003cstrong\u003e H W Larson\u003c\/strong\u003e and dated \u003cstrong\u003e10-24-43\u003c\/strong\u003e. The overall condition of the tunic is very good with some areas of wear and light moth.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Fantastic \"crush cap\" that leaves no doubt this is the very the cap Larson used while in flight. Size 6 3\/4. Worn and soft with heavy wear to the interior. The sweatband is missing much of its stitching.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- PILOTS NAVIGATION KIT (empty) of Harry Larson featuring a calling card that reads: \u003cstrong\u003eHarry W Larson, Lieutenant Air Corps, Army of the United States.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Scanned and printed images of Navigators of the 885th Bombardment Squadron and Larson with his crew in front of a B-17.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e- Packet with description and photos of grouping with research information about Larson’s awards.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll in all, this is an exceptionally rare grouping, due to the missions he flew and the rarity of the squadron to which he was assigned. An incredible piece of U.S. WWII history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42614238150725,"sku":"ONSV24NWS205","price":3495.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ON4363A__01A.jpg?v=1743460665","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-b-17-mission-belle-distinguished-flying-cross-navigator-harry-larson-s-painted-a2-flight-jacket-uniform-and-pilot-s-navigation-kit-with-packet-of-research-885th-bomb-squadron-2641st-special-operations-group","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}