Jacket, Flight, Type A-2, S/Sgt. Clarence Strike, Aerial Gunner, 22nd BS, 341st BG, 10th & 14th Air Forces, USAAF, CBI
Rare genuine WWII USAAF Type A-2 russet leather flight jacket, which once belonged to some Staff Sergeant Clarence E. Strike, a B-25 Mitchell aerial gunner who deployed in the CBI Theater of Operations.
Manufactured by J.A. Dubow Mfg. Co. in Chicago, Illinois. Size 38.
The left breast has been adorned with an embroidered 22nd Bomb. Squadron insignia and two leather name tags, one in Chinese characters and the other in Latin characters: C.E. Strike. Last name Strike has also been stenciled in the back.
Two 'blood chits' have been sewn inside, featuring the standard CBI flags -- Republic of China and United States.
Quite good, worn condition; shows a nice patina and various signs of wear, particularly on the collar, waistband and cuffs; the original collar hook, Kwik zipper (damaged) and snap fasteners are still present.
Clarence Ethelbert Strike was born on January 11, 1917 in Des Moines, Iowa and joined the US Army on July 2, 1942 (ASN 37208622). He went on to serve in the Air Corps, and was awarded his aerial gunner's badge in September of that year. He deployed to the China-Burma-India theater of operations on March 9, 1943 with 22nd Bomb. Group, 341st Bomb. Squadron, 10th Air Force -- later 14th Air Force--, participated in 40 missions and was awarded the Air Medal, the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Repatriated on May 11, 1944, he ended the war as an instructor and signed up again following his discharge. He passed away on March 30, 2003.
https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-145530/recipient-145530-3ss-1/
https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/145204715/clarence-ethelbert-strike
A couple of original photographs and a dog tag issued to some Buster, Ralph G. come along with the present jacket; the book Eagles, Bulldogs & Tigers - History of the 22nd Bomb. Squadron in China-Burma-India and a photocopied file complete this lot.
Ralph Gene Buster was born on July 16, 1921 in Vinita, Oklahoma and joined the US Army on November 25, 1939 (ASN 06953061). He went on to serve in the Air Corps as a mechanic, and also deployed to the CBI theater of operations with 22nd Bomb. Group, 341st Bomb. Squadron. He passed away on July 5, 2001.
https://fr.findagrave.com/memorial/17484077/ralph-g-buster
Illustration documents not mentioned above are available in digital format only.
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