WWII US Army Air Force Custom Ike Jacket for Air Gunner 
- Sold Winning Bid: $97.50
- 2 Bid(s) View Bid History
| Shipping Options | |
|---|---|
| Domestic | $20.00 ($8.00 as additional item) |
| International | $60.00 ($15.00 as additional item) |
This is an original U.S. Army Air Forces enlisted service coat, constructed in olive drab gaberdine wool and retaining strong wartime form and character. The jacket appears to have been professionally tailored to convert a 4 pocket blouse to the popular "Ike" jacket style. The jacket displays period-correct tailoring with four-button front, pleated pockets, and brass USAAF insignia (one collar disc is missing), showing minor wear consistent with service use. Rank insignia on the sleeves indicate a Sergeant, and the jacket remains attractively balanced, with no modern alterations observed.
Coat has a fine quality partial lining, indicating a private purchase, higher-quality garment than the standard issue. This is normally seen with officers' purchased uniforms.
The jacket bears the USAAF Pacific Ocean Areas (POA) shoulder sleeve insignia and the 20th Air Force, which primarily flew B-29 Superfortress bombers, mostly over Japan. Above the left pocket is a set of enlisted aircrew wings (marked Sterling), indicating qualification as an aircrew member, a distinction reserved for personnel who flew operational missions. The ribbon bar includes awards consistent with overseas wartime air service, including the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters denoting multiple awards, along with campaign and service ribbons reflecting World War II service. Taken together, the insignia and awards point to a combat-experienced USAAF airman who served in the Pacific, making this a historically grounded and highly collectible uniform with clear operational context.