WWII U.S. ARMY AIR CORPS GLIDER PILOT'S UNIFORM & CAP - BULLION INSIGNIA ID'd

Description

This is an extremely fine World War II U.S. Army Air Corps uniform and overseas cap with bullion insignia that is in excellent condition. The uniform jacket is made of officer quality chocolate brown gaberdine wool. Pinned to each epaulet is a faux embroidered silver Captain’s rank insignia. The upper lapels are with the standard officer’s “U.S.” and lower with the wing and prop insignia of the Army Air Corps. Sewn to the left shoulder is a hand embroidered British made Airborne Troop Carrier patch. On the lower part of this sleeve are three hand embroidered gold bullion overseas bars representing at least 1½ years of overseas service. Sewn to the right shoulder is an Army Air Corps Headquarters patch that is machine embroidered in red, white, and gold cotton thread on a blue wool backing. Sewn above the left breast pocket an extremely fine, hand embroidered Glider Pilot’s wing executed in heavy silver bullion thread. Below this is a 3-place ribbon bar consisting of the American Defense Medal, the European Theater Medal with 3 bronze campaign stars, and the World War II Victory Medal. There appears to have been a second bar above this, but it is now missing. The officer quality cut out eagle buttons on the front, pockets and epaulets are all present. The interior left breast pocket is with a manufacturer’s label, but the owner’s information has not been filled in. The interior is lined with polished green cotton material.
The overseas cap is constructed of “pink” wool material and piped with officer’s black and gold piping. Pinned to the left side of the cap is a faux embroidered silver Captain’s rank insignia that matches those pinned to the epaulets on the uniform jacket. Sewn to the left side of the cap is a magnificent British made U.S. Troop Carrier insignia that is executed in hand embroidered gold and silver bullion metal thread on a blue wool backing and with a twisted bullion border around the outside edge. The interior of the cap is lined with gray polished cotton and with a New York tailor’s cloth label giving the size as 7⅛.
Included with this set is a tropical tan wool shirt that has a U.S. made Troop Carrier patch sewn to the left shoulder and a U.S. Army Air Corps Headquarters patch sewn to the right just as on the uniform jacket. The shirt is with all the tan plastic buttons which remain securely attached and are undamaged. There are a few rust stains on the right collar as can be seen in the photos. The shirt is complete with a tropical wool tie and cloth tailor’s label in the collar.
It is named to “E.C. Haines” with the name and laundry number inked in two places on the lower hem of the shirt. Since the shirt has the same insignia as the uniform jacket and was acquired as part of the uniform group, E.C. Haines was the owner of the entire uniform.
Lastly, there is a set of Officer’s quality pink wool trousers that accompanied the group when purchased. There is some very light soiling to one side of the seat area and several pin sized holes scattered throughout. None of this is in the least way distracting and the grouping displays spectacularly when on a mannequin.
Please do not ask for additional measurements as these historic uniforms are to be respected and honored. They have done their service and are now to be preserved and cared for … not worn.
5840
NOTE: THE NAME OF THE OWNER OF THIS UNIFORM GROUP WAS JUST FOUND INKED IN TWO PLACES ON THE INSIDE OF THE LOWER HEM OF THE SHIRT. SEE PHOTO.