8th air corps Ike jacket

[Luftwaffe 1941]

I’m officially addicted to collecting Ike jackets, as I just cant seem to stop buying them.

This example arrived in the mail today, and I thought I would share it with you guys. This jacket belonged to a staff sergeant of the 8th army air corps. It looks like he served A total of three years in the military, and of those three years one year was spent overseas. As indicated by the specialist patch he was in the communications department of the air corps.

I really like the 8th air corps patch on this jacket, as it appears to be a British made example. When this arrived I found a pleasant surprise. The collar discs are the more early screw back examples. I didn’t know this as the seller didn’t take the most detailed pictures.

Unfortunately there is no name or laundry number to be found. But it doesn’t bother me much as I got this jacket for a good deal, and overall it’s a pretty nice example.

Best regards- Jarret

[Rakkasan187]

Jarret,

A nice looking Ike jacket.. Unfortunately sometimes these are not named as you mentioned but they are still nice.. The English made 8th Air Force patch is decent as well..

Good job..

Smitty

[BrodieBartfast]

Very nice! A good, clean jacket with the addition of some uncommon features. A worthy addition to your Ike collection.

B.B.

[AZPhil]

Nice pick up. I love the 8th AF. So to me that is a SA'WEET one.

It is a shame about the no Name or laundry number. Even with a laundry number there is no direct line to the guy. It takes some research to nail that one down.


Congrats

Semper Fi
Phil

[Rescue190]

Nice jacket. Thank you for sharing.
John

[Luftwaffe 1941]

Nice pick up. I love the 8th AF. So to me that is a SA'WEET one.

It is a shame about the no Name or laundry number. Even with a laundry number there is no direct line to the guy. It takes some research to nail that one down.


Congrats

Semper Fi
Phil

Thanks!

After I bought this jacket I did some research on 8th Air Corp jackets using the forum search bar. I could tell you have passion for 8th AF related items. I think I recall reading that you had a relative that served in the 8th?

Best regards- Jarret

[AZPhil]

Thanks!

After I bought this jacket I did some research on 8th Air Corp jackets using the forum search bar. I could tell you have passion for 8th AF related items. I think I recall reading that you had a relative that served in the 8th?

Best regards- Jarret

Yes my Uncle Joe was a tail gunner on the B17 "Mrs Geezil" and was shot down on April 13th 1944. I am still friends and in contact with the left waist gunner(Turned 99 Sept 9th) , who has been a wealth of information about their service and what they wore that day. Both were POW's in Stalag 17B for the duration. I'm also a Member of the 384th Bomb Group web site and did combat data entry for their database. Yes I have a passion for anything 8TH AF and that is where my collection interest have been since 2010.

Semper Fi
Phil

[Luftwaffe 1941]

Yes my Uncle Joe was a tail gunner on the B17 "Mrs Geezil" and was shot down on April 13th 1944. I am still friends and in contact with the left waist gunner(Turned 99 Sept 9th) , who has been a wealth of information about their service and what they wore that day. Both were POW's in Stalag 17B for the duration. I'm also a Member of the 384th Bomb Group web site and did combat data entry for their database. Yes I have a passion for anything 8TH AF and that is where my collection interest have been since 2010.

Semper Fi
Phil

Wow Awesome stuff!!

Thanks for sharing that Phil. I could't even imagine going through something like that. Fighting above the skies of Europe, being shot down, and then get captured and sent to a German POW camp. Without a doubt your uncle was a legend. I'm happy to hear you are still in contact with the left waist gunner. I'm sure he has shared some crazy stories with you!

Best regards- Jarret

[AZPhil]

The one story Phil shared is when the were brought to Frankfurt Oberursel. That is where the Germans brought all USAAF captured prisoners for interrogations

Phil said" When we got there (Frankfurt),we were the lucky one's. There were airmen hanging from the light poles". The British had bombed the town the night before and the civilians got ahold of those that were shot down. If you look this up you will see it was a common occurrence. Very Sad But Very True...

Semper Fi
Phil

[Politefaun]

That's a great Ike jacket, the person who had it was a radio operator (blue patch) and I think the rank is T/SGT. My great uncle would've probably had a similar jacket since he was also a radio operator.

Was mistaken not technical sergeant, might have to buy some new rank patches now...