This early production A-2 fight jacket was worn by J.B. Bass with the 1st Combat Cargo Group, 1st Squadron, which operated in the China-Burma-India Theater. Equipped with C-47 Skytrain transport aircraft, the 1st Combat Cargo Group’s mission was to carry troops and supplies and maintain supply routes to ensure units in the combat zone remained operational. This included the resupplying and moving Chinese units. The task was extremely difficult made more dangerous by the Himalayas which they flew over. At its conclusion the airlift logged an estimated 1.5 million flight hours and delivered a total tonnage of 650,000 net tons. The operation was one of the most successful of the war. Bass’ A-2 jacket dates to 1936, is a size 38, was manufactured by Werber Leather Coat Co. of Beacon, New York, and has a Talon zipper. Werber Leather Coat Co. is a rare A-2 maker, and the label reads in part, “DWG. NO. 30-1415/A.C. ORDER NO. 36-1112P.” Reinforcing studs, a typical feature of early A-2s, are at the bottom near the end of the waistband. The date of the jacket suggests that Bass was an early member of the Army Air Corps. The jacket is decorated with several fantastic CBI Theater made multi-piece leather insignias including the large American flag and blood chit featured on the back. The left chest carries Bass’ leather name tag and a large 1st Combat Cargo Squadron patch (a rabbit riding a C-47), which is still used today by the 326th Airlift Squadron flying C-17 Globemaster IIIs stationed at Dover AFB, Delaware. The right chest carries a large 1st Combat Cargo Group patch. A CBI patch is featured on the left shoulder, and a 14th Air Force patch is featured on the right shoulder. The jacket is pictured and identified in Maguire and Conway’s “American Flight Jackets” on page 250. Also included is a bush jacket featuring USAAF shoulder patch, CBI shoulder patch with snaps, and embroidered wings, USAAF officer lapel insignia, and 2nd lieutenant insignia. Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection

Very good displaying honest wear and use with some scattered repairs on the cuffs and waist band. The patches have aged and remain very attractive. The American flag and blood chit retain overall strong colors. The bush jacket is good with some staining. A rare early production Werber Leather Coat Co. made A-2 jacket worn by an airman with the 1st Combat Cargo Group with beautiful theater made multi-piece leather insignias.