Original U.S. WWII B-26 “A Bientot” Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient Gunner S/Sgt Theodor H. Mains’ Painted A2 Flight Jacket - 65 Combat Missions - 451st Bomb Squadron, 322nd Bomb Group

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the outstanding A-2 Flight Jacket of Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient & Gunner Staff Sergeant Theodor H. Mains, 451st Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group, who served aboard the B-26 “A Bientot” (I’ll be Seeing You) during 65 missions in France and Germany. He was also awarded the Air Medal with Ten Oak Leaf Clusters! The jacket is beautifully painted to the front with his squadron insignia and to the back with the “A Bientot” and 61 bombs, meaning he still flew 4 more missions after having this painted! The jacket comes with a packet full of research on Mains.

On the left breast is his name tape, reading T.H. MAINS. The interior retains the original data tag:

TYPE A-2
DRAWING NO. 30-415
ORDER NO. W535 A.C. 27798
J.A. DUBOW MFG. CO.
CHICAGO, LL.
PROPERTY
AIR FORCE, U.S. ARMY
40

Under his name tape is the crudely painted squadron insignia of the 451st, a Gorilla flying a cloud with an aerial bomb in hand. Within the insignia is painted

451ST
BOMB
SQDN.

The back of the jacket is painted in red “A’ BIENTOT” over a yellow-painted B-26 bomber. Under this are painted a staggering 61 bombs denoting 61 missions, with every 5th bomb painted either yellow, red, or black.

This is certainly a jacket worn on several of his missions. The knit cuffs & waistband are in very rough condition with very heavy tearing and damage, which could be mended with work. There is some tearing and material loss as shown with some past repairs, but it is overall in good order. The interior lining is also the original, and not later replaced. The zipper is the correct TALON and still works great.

Included is a packet of research information including his General Order cards for the Air Medal and DFC, showing a staggering 10 OLCs for the Air Medal. We also found that he was awarded the Purple Heart, meaning that the red bomb on the back of his jacket could denote the mission on which he was wounded!

Theodor Henry Mains was born on June 13th, 1923 in Chicago, Illinois. He entered the Army Air Forces on October 26th, 1942, being assigned as a Gunner in the 451st Bombardment Squadron, 322nd Bombardment Group. He served as Gunner aboard the B-26 “A’ Bientot” and flew a staggering 65 combat missions in Europe, being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Purple Heart. He was discharged on September 12th, 1945 and would be drafted again during the Korean War, though we are unsure if he was ever deployed. He passed away on July 12th, 2006 at the age of 83.

This is an outstanding jacket that does have some damage, but has a tremendous story behind it. Comes ready for further research and display!

Approximate Measurements
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 25”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16"
Chest width: 19”
Waist: 26"
Front length: 27"