Original U.S. WWII Named 8th Air Force Uniform of POW Lt. Navigator Matthew Radnofsky of B-17 “Casa De Umbriago” with Scarce “Winged Boot” Badge - Shot Down Over Osnabruck - Designed Space Suits for NASA
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the outstanding uniform of Lieutenant Navigator Matthew I. Radnofsky, 423rd Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, who was shot down on his 28th combat mission over Osnabruck in his B-17 “Casa De Umbriago” on November 21st, 1944. After surviving the crash, he was taken as a Prisoner of War and kept in captivity for nearly 6 months before being freed in May of 1945. His uniform bears a gorgeous bullion “Winged Boot” badge. Radnofsky later earned several degrees and was with the US Navy Aeronautical Medical Laboratory in Philadelphia and from 1961 until retirement was with the Space Task Force at NASA Johnson Space Center.
In 1943 when American airmen of the U. S. 8th Air Force started to return to England after having been shot down over enemy occupied territory some unknown American evader started to use the Royal Air Force “Winged Boot” as a symbol of his having evaded capture and having “walked home.” This symbol of evasion was never authorized to be worn on U. S. uniforms in the ETO; therefore evaders wore it under the left hand lapel on their tunic or battle jacket. One of the first stops an evader made after being released by Air Force Intelligence in London was usually a visit to Hobson and Sons in London to have them make a “wire badge” “Winged Boot”.
The uniform has 1st Lieutenant bars on each shoulder, an AAF patch on the left sleeve, and an 8th Air Force patch on the right sleeve. There is a bullion “Winged Boot” badge on the right cuff, and US & AAF Collar insignia. Over the right breast pocket is a Presidential unit citation, missing the frame, and over the left breast pocket is a 3-place ribbon bar with the Air Medal with 3 OLCs, the Purple Heart, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 campaign stars. Over this is a gorgeous set of Sterling Navigator wings.
The interior of the jacket shows that it was tailored by Haas in Baltimore, Maryland. There is a name tag on the interior pocket reading Lt. M. Radnofsky with a date of 5/26/45, shortly following his release from the POW camp.
Matthew Israel Radnofsky was born on October 9th, 1924 in Boston, Massachusetts. He first enlisted in the AAF on March 18th, 1943, being trained as a navigator and going overseas in late 1943/early 1944. He was assigned to the 423rd Bombardment Squadron, 306th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, and took part in 28 combat missions. On his 28th mission, November 21st, 1944, he was shot down over Osnabruck in his B-17 “Casa De Umbriago”. After surviving the crash, he was taken as a Prisoner of War and kept in captivity for nearly 6 months before being freed in May of 1945. He was brought home and he served several years more in the Army before he received several degrees from Boston University. Radnofsky then served several years designing space suits for NASA, serving as Senior Systems Scientist for NASA, Office of Advanced Manned Missions in Washington. He passed away on June 5th, 1993, at the age of 68.
This is a phenomenal uniform with a great history, ready for further research and display.
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5"
Chest width: 20”
Waist: 15"
Hip: 19"
Front length: 32"
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