Extremely Rare 1930's Aerial Nurse Corps of America Flight Nurse Uniform Jacket w/ Wing & Patch

ARTIFACT: Extremely rare and very cool 1930's Aerial Nurse Corps of America Flight Nurse uniform jacket with wing and shoulder patch. The uniform wing reads "NURSE" and the patch shows a red, embroidered plane in the center, along the top it reads "DIV" and along the bottom it reads: "1ST" and a cross embroidered in white detail. The jacket features a double breast style button closure, a pleated chest pocket, and two front waist pockets. The inside of the jacket is lined with satin and features an inside breast pocket. There are decorative buttons on the shoulders and cuffs.

After witnessing an altitude test in Dayton, Ohio Lauretta Schimmoler became fascinated with aviation and began working for the US Air Mail and Lockheed Aircraft. In 1929, she received her pilot's license and shortly after being hired as an advertising manager for an airport in Sycamore, Ohio, she convinced her boss to relocate to Bucyrus and in doing so became the first women to establish and manage an airport. In 1932, she became part of the Ninety-Nines: International Organization of Women Pilots. After witnessing the destruction of a tornado she realized the importance of air evacuation and established the Emergency Flight Corps in 1933, which became the Aerial Nurse Corps in 1936 with 78 nurses. During WWII, both the American Red Cross and US Army changed their opinions of aerial nurses and their importance. A medical air evacuation squadron was formed and Loretta was asked to become the technical advisor. The Aerial Nurse Corps was only active for 15 years, but it became an early model and pioneer for USAF Flight Corps Nurses, still in existence today.

VINTAGE: Circa 1930's

SIZE: Approximately Measures Armpit to Armpit: 17-1/2" Shoulder to Shoulder (across back): 16-3/4" Collar to Hem: 25-3/4" Shoulder to Cuff: 23"

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Gabardine, satin, resin, plated brass, embroidered wool felt, cotton/polyester thread.

ATTACHMENT: Double breast button up closure

MARKINGS: Buttons: "SUPERIOR QUALITY"

ITEM NOTES: This is from an Aerial Nurse collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. ebay09/14/20 MBJJX16 LHGEX3/16 SLHIEX09/20 SHIEX01/12/22

CONDITION: 7 (Very Fine): The jacket shows moderate wear and soiling, some moth nips to jacket and shoulder patch (see photos), some thread separation on "NURSE" wing (See photo), all buttons remain intact, overall very fine condition.