US Army Air Forces A-2 Jacket WWII USAAF 329th BS Patch Distinguished Decorated War Hero 93rdBG 8th AF POW ETO Start Price USD 750.00 Current Price USD 935.99 Time Left - Bid Count 7 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 End Time Wednesday, December 03, 2008 Location Boulder, CO See more about 'US Army Air Forces A-2 Jacket WWII USAAF 329th BS Patch' Description This is one beauty of an A-2 Flight Jacket. It was once owned by a decorated WWII war hero, who passed away a few years back. I will have links to his biography and accomplishments below. Right now we will discuss the jacket. I took extra pictures of the details so the experts could tell who made the jacket since the label is missing. I noted the very wide epaulets that were reinforced, might be J. A. Dubow? The collar has a reddish tint that shows a little here and there. The zipper is in very good condition and is a Crown. The ribbing is still mostly good with a few dings and nicks. The leather is good with the expected scuffing and wear of the last 66 years. The lining has some small holes and worn areas. The pictures should tell you a lot and are clear and plentiful, some taken in sunlight and others under florescent. The size is best told by the measurements: Between the seams on the back near the armpits measures 17 inches. The distance across the shoulders is 18 inches, across the chest below the arms is 22 inches, the sleeves are about 24  inches, the ribbing on the waist unstretched measures 16 inches across, The height is 26 inches. The weight is about 4 pounds packed. Overseas shipping is welcome, but do not ask me to fudge the customs info 'cause I am an honest guy. I gladly answer all questions if asked early enough. I do not offer a Buy It Now price nor do I have a Reserve. If the winner does not pay promptly than I might consider other offers. I recommend insurance, because the jacket is your responsibility once shipped. I have some other great jackets for sale that you can see on Ebay right now and in the next few weeks. Here are more links and information on Col. Fred Lakner than you can imagine. (All copyrights are retained by their owners and websites quoted or linked to.) Apologies to his family member's privacy where I could not figure out how to delete their info.   He flew 29 missions over Europe and then on the 30th he went down and was captured and spent a long time as a POW. The following link details some of his accomplishments when he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in a ceremony in 2001 that gave him credit for his youthful service during the War. http://www.93rdbombardmentgroup.com/BOFQE/v9-1.pdf  He flew in the 329th Bombardment Squadron assigned to the 93rd Bombardment Group, also known as the Traveling Circus, based out of Hardwick and Bungay bases in England. He flew the B-24 Liberators mainly.  http://www.usaaf.com/8thaf/bomber/93bg.HTM  this link has info on the 93 BG, also here is great historical info http://www.historyofwar.org/air/units/USAAF/93rd_Bombardment_Group.html Here is a incident report of his last mission where he became a POW. Winn Donald N MI 44-04 329 93 Capt Gene L. Maddocks, was the lead pilot on 42-51495 on this mission to the Misburg oil refinery. Problems from flak caused them to relinquish the lead and they fell behind. The crew ultimately bailed out at 5000 ft over the Zuider Zee. All of Maddocks crew landed safely and were taken prisoner by the Germans, who thought they had all of the crew when they captured eleven. Maddocks was the last to bail out and managed evade capture.  This info comes from "Ted's Travelling Circus". MACR 13348.Crew list:P: Capt Gene L. Maddocks CP: LT Fred Lakner N: LT Edward N. Anderson Jr B: LT Donald N. Winn NT: S/S Kenneth W. Hohnson TT: T/S Richard L. Wnuk RO: T/S Norman E. FullerWG: S/S Paul J. Suchcicki TG: S/ Roy G. Micheli PN: LT Anthony J. Decillis Jr MO: LT Gunnard C. Strand Mission Pilot: Capt Oscar P. Hoffman Here is a copy of his obituary notice. Place a Bid!