HUGE WWII CBI Patched Out A-2 Jacket Grouping <p> 22nd BS 341st BG 14th AF Bombardier

ARTIFACT: This is by far the most elaborate and complete A-2 Flight Jacket Grouping I have ever had to offer. Not only does it include a beautiful, patched-out Aero Leather A-2, but it also has the officers Class A uniform and Crusher visor hat, medals, documents, personal effects, and more! The A-2 is a small but roomy size 36 early war contract piece by Aero Leather Clothing Company of Beacon NY. Cuffs, waistband and zipper are all original. The jacket has great mufti-piece CBI made shoulder patches of the CBI theatre, and AAF HQ. On the right breast is a large CBI made 14th AF patch, and on the left breast is a large CBI made 22nd Bomb Squadron patch. Both patches look to be from the same manufacturing shop, both hand-inked in full color on leather. Lt. Walter J. Stecko's 3-language name tag is above the 22nd BS patch, where you can see the faint stitch holes from his original one-language name strip. The jacket has only very light wear, and is in exceptional condition. The class A uniform has theater-made bullion CBI & AAFHQ on the shoulders, captains bars on the straps, Stecko's Navigator wing on the breast (Sterling, pinback, made by AMCRAFT), and his wartime ribbon bar with Purple Heart (Stecko was wounded on his 43rd mission, ending his combat career), Distinguished Flying Cross, and Air Medal ribbons. Stecko's Visor Hat is made by Bancroft (not sure of this) and is a famous "Flighter" (or this) "Crusher" style cap, in good, but salty condition. The leather has darkened over the years on the visor and straps. After that, the grouping is a veritable time capsule of Captain Stecko's WWII experience. There are great personal artifacts, like a minty 14th AF scarf, and a wonderful leather blood chit with US and Chinese flags at top. Stecko's Purple Heart and Air Medal are present, not sure what became of his Distinguished Flying Cross. His Dog Tags and ID bracelet are included, and miscellaneous ribbon bars, belts, razors and other personal gear. A wonderful sterling & enameled religious "good luck" charm is included. It's mint, probably because it never came out of the small leather holder that it was in. Another great piece is the metal-covered "Bible Heart Shield", also in exceptional condition. A combination cigarette case & lighter, along with another leather cigarette pack protector show Stecko was a man of his time, engaging in the practice that was so commonplace during WWII. One very important piece in this grouping is Stecko's Mission Log Book, with short detailed reports of all but his last 2 bombing missions. A great 2-sided escape map of Upper Burma and Indo-China is included, as is an early "Pointie Talkie" Escape & Evasion booklet, also in exceptional condition. There are even 2 propaganda leaflets in the groping, one dropped by us on Burma, and one dropped by the Japanese on us! There is much, much more included here, lots of books, booklets, photos, paperwork, souvenirs, etc., Too much to list. Take a look at the photos, and call if you would like to know any more details.

VINTAGE: Circa World War II.

SIZE: Size 36 jacket: (roomy). Jacket: measurements to follow soon. The rest of the artifacts are of various standard sizes, call for more specific details.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Jacket: leather with painted details, cotton/nylon cuffs/waistband, cotton lining, printed cotton chit, and wool with brass buttons; patches: wool embroidered in bullion, multi-piece leather; wing: sterling; medals: bronze, silk; hats: wool with brass/plated brass insignia (one with leather); scarf: silk; paper, photographs. ATTACHMENTS: A-2: zipper, snaps on pockets; jacket: buttons; crusher: chinstrap.

ATTACHMENT: MARKINGS: TYPE A-2 DWG. NO. 30H1415 A.C. CONTRACT ORDER NO. 42

MARKINGS: ITEM NOTES: This is from a WWII USAAF A-2 grouping collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. CON-LL-VDJJJX14 LFEJJX9/14 hldLFEJJX1/15 Dep: MAEJJX1/15 SFEJJX8/15

ITEM NOTES: CONDITION: 8+ (Overall Excellent: Varies, but overall in excellent condition; every piece in this collection saw exceptional storage conditions over the last 70 years.

CONDITION: GUARANTEE: As with all my items, this piece is guaranteed original. "