Original U.S. WWII Named B-17 Flying Fortress 535th Bomb Squadron 8th Air Force A-2 Flight Jacket - Captain W.J. Cline

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a nice but well worn A2 leather flight jacket issued to a Captain W.J. (Johnny) Cline who flew with the 535th Bombardment Squadron during WW2. It is fair condition. There is wear evident in the leather with fraying and holes in the cotton waistband and cuffs, but overall it is solid.

The best aspect of this incredible jacket is a gorgeous embroidered squadron patch for the 535th Bombardment Squadron. established in late 1942 as a B-17 Flying Fortress heavy bombardment unit. It was part of the 381st Bombardment Group (Heavy), its motto was, “Triumphant We Fly”. They deployed to the European Theater of operations (ETO) in May of 1943. The Group supported the Normandy Invasion in June 1944 bombing airfields and bridges near the beachhead. Attacked enemy positions at St. Lo, assisted in the airborne assault on Holland, bombed enemy positions during the Battle of the Bulge, and Supported the Allied crossing of the Rhine in 1945. The Groups’ credited sorties 9,035 and Bomb tonnage 22,159.

There is a lovely 8th Air Force patch on the left shoulder, and there is a lovely brass ACME “Thunderer” whistle attached to the zipper. Above the squadron patch is a name tag reading W.J. CLINE. In our research we found that it belonged to a W.J. (Johnny) Cline, but we have been unable to find any more than this. A fantastic research project for someone with the resources!

The interior lining is in good condition but the original manufacturer’s tag has a hole in it and is too worn to read. We can tell it was made in Chicago and is Size 44.

A fantastic researchable example, ready for further research and display!