Original U.S. WWII AAF Pilot’s Uniform & A2 Jacket Group - Lt. Keith Irvin Frost, 701st Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group -

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is an extensive uniform & A2 jacket grouping identified to Lieutenant Pilot Keith Irvin Frost, 701st Bombardment Squadron, 445th Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force. Frost’s B-24 crashed near Tibenham, Germany on November 10th, 1944, likely due to mechanical issues, but there is more research to be done. The group includes his uniform, plain A-2 flight jacket, his named musette bag, his Air Medal (unengraved) in the presentation case, and other uniform pieces. Frost went on to graduate from the Air Force War College and serve during Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star. Keith flew many different aircraft including the AT-11, B-18, B-34, B-25, B-17, B-24, B-29, KC-97, B-47, B-52, KC-135, C-47 and many missions in the UH-1 (Huey Chopper) in Vietnam.

The group includes:

- Frost’s WWII Officer’s Class A OD Green uniform jacket with an AAF patch on the left shoulder, an 8th Air Force patch on the right shoulder, two overseas stripes on the left cuff, 1st Lieutenant bars on the shoulders, US & AAF collar insignia, a two-place ribbon bar with the Air Medal with 1 OLC and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with two campaign stars over the left breast pocket, and over this is a set of Sterling pilot’s wings. This jacket has a name tag in the pocket naming it KEITH I FROST. The jacket was tailored at THE MODEL SHOP in Odessa, Texas.
- Frost’s A-2 flight jacket with an intact tag under the collar naming the maker as I. Spiewak & Son of North Bergen, New Jersey with a size of 38. The jacket itself is not named to Frost that we can find, the liner appears to be its original one, and the knit waist and cuffs are in good shape overall. The exterior shows heavy wear and rubbing to the leather. The zipper works and is marked CROWN.
- Officer's visor cap with unique braided hat band. Named “Edw. A. Sahli” with heavy wear to the interior and underside of visor. By Bancroft, rare maker. 
- Air Medal in original presentation, not engraved, ribbon and lapel pin intact with extra ribbons and extra visor cap badge. Case is in rough shape with bottom worn down.
- Officer’s shirt and trousers, not named.
- Officer’s musette bag by Atlantic Products Corp dated 1944. Stenciled FROST K. on the reverse.

Frost’s obituary reads:

Keith Irvin Frost was born on November 28, 1919 in Spirit Lake to Irvin R. and Marion LaDoux Frost. Keith graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1937 and attended Iowa State University 1938-39. Keith was united in marriage to Audrey V. Rucker on October 19, 1941. Keith farmed in the Spirit Lake area after their marriage until 1942 when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was sent to Midland Army Air Field in Midland, TX. After the war in 1945, he was discharged and returned to the Spirit Lake area to continue farming. In 1951, he was recalled into the service and spent the next 22 years in the United States Air Force serving his country. During Keith's military service, he was stationed in Texas, Kansas, Georgia, California, Missouri, Michigan, Louisiana, North Dakota and overseas in Africa, Vietnam, Guam and England. Keith flew many different aircraft including the AT-11, B-18, B-34, B-25, B-17, B-24, B-29, KC-97, B-47, B-52, KC-135, C-47 and many missions in the UH-1 (Huey Chopper) in Vietnam. Keith graduated from the Air Force War College. He received the Bronze Star for his service during Vietnam. He also received the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal from the President of the United States. In addition, he received the South Vietnam Army Meritorious Service Medal from the Republic of South Vietnam. In 1973, Keith retired from the Air Force at the rank of Lt. Colonel and he and Audrey returned to the Spirit Lake area where they have since resided. Keith was a member of the United Methodist Church of Spirit Lake and was active in the Methodist Church or the Chaplain program on base at each duty station he was assigned. Keith and Audrey received meritorious service awards from the Chief of Chaplains of the USAF from many of the duty stations. Keith was a member of the VFW, Golden Kiwanis and the American Legion. Keith passed away on March 7, 2008 at Hilltop Care Center in Spirit Lake at eighty-eight years of age.

A great group with good display potential, ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 10"
Shoulder to sleeve: 22”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15"
Chest width: 18”
Waist: 16"
Hip: 19"
Front length: 31"