Original U.S. WWII Yuma Army Airfield Named M-1941 Field Jacket with Painted Yuma Patch - Walter Hawkins Jr.
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The Yuma Army Air Field was an advanced training ground for army pilots during World War II. The airfield was first created in the 1920s as a simple open field with a windsock for use by airplanes. In 1942 the Army was given the use of the land for a flight training school and the first cadets arrived in January, 1943. In the first year alone, the Yuma Field saw a dozen graduating classes. The Yuma Field offered advanced training in AT-6, T-17, and B-17 models. It was noted as being one of the busiest airfields in the United States. In 1946, after the war had ended, the Army declared the field surplus to their needs and returned the field to civilian control. The field would later become an U.S. Air Force base, a U.S. Marine station, and an international airport.
This is a gorgeous M-1941 Field jacket worn by Walter Hawkins Jr., Serial number 38392596, as is stamped on the collar. The name HAWK is stenciled on the right breast, certainly his nickname. Sewn to the left breast is a gorgeous but heavily worn and tattered painted patch for Yuma Air Field, depicting a snarling red fox with cactus and holster, firing a .50 caliber Browning machine-gun. The patch has worn deeply and is half-way torn off of the jacket, but is still present and retains about 70% of its paint with heavy cracking across.
This is a lovely example of a Yuma field jacket, and although the patch is very worn it’s still gorgeous and works well for display. The back of the patch could be glued or attached to the lining, but we have left it as is. A great example, ready for further research and display!
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 23.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16"
Chest width: 21.5”
Waist: "
Hip width: 20"
Front length: 26.5"
Yuma Army Air Field was at first an advanced pilot training school, but was officially changed to a radio flexible gunnery school on 11 November 1943. For approximately one month the gunnery program paralleled the pilot training one, after which the latter was abandoned. Though there were only 113 graduates by the end of 1943, there were at that time 1,655 students enrolled.
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