Description:

(FLYING TIGERS) PILOT'S WARTIME DRESS JACKET WITH INSIGNIA
A very rare war-date dress uniform jacket owned and worn by Flying Tigers pilot First Lt. Ronald Shepherd during his service in China and afterwards. The dark green jacket is in excellent condition. It retains all of the original brass buttons on the front and the four pleated pockets. The right shoulder bears a theater-made 14th Air Force gold and silver bullion patch sewn to the garment, while the left shoulder has a theater-made C.B.I. silver bullion-embroidered patch affixed with metal snaps so that it could be removed for laundering. On the left breast is Shepherd's ribbon bar with ribbons representing the Soldier's Medal, Asiatic & Pacific Theater with three battle stars, American Theater (American area of service outside the U.S.), WWII Victory Medal with one battle star, and WW II Army of Occupation. On the right breast is a rare Nationalist Chinese ribbon. The uniform also has lieutenant's bars, and A.A.C. and U.S. lapel pins. Three bullion overseas service stripes are affixed to the end of the left sleeve. A tag within indicates that the uniform was made by the Quartermaster Depot in Philadelphia, December 1, 1942. Also present is Shepherd's matching officer's garrison cap, along with a 1943 61st Army flying training card signed by him. Very good condition. First Lt. Ronald Shepherd, A.A.C. (13112468, born 1920) was a native-born Englishman from Yorkshire who moved in his youth to the Philadelphia area. Part of his extensive fighter pilot training was at Maxwell Field, Alabama until he was activated on Jan. 7, 1944 to serve with the 92nd Fighter Squadron, 81st Fighter Group, 12th Air Force, considered part of the later ‘Flying Tigers.' The squadron served extensively in China supporting the Nationalists, as well as in India, and it operated from bases in Karachi, India, 22 Mar 1944; Kwanghan, China, 15 May 1944; and Fungwanshan, China, 12 Feb 1945.

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December 5, 2024 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000