Description:

"IKE JACKET" OF B-24 WAIST GUNNER SGT. NORMAN C. MOSHER, SHOT DOWN AND SPENT FIVE MONTHS WITH BELGIAN UNDERGROUND
A terrific, rare American Army Air Force item, the "Ike jacket" owned by Sgt. Norman C. Mosher, a waist-gunner on a B-24 shot down over Belgium and who would spent the next five months with the Belgian Resistance. This is a very special jacket indeed! It bears two rare embroidered silver wire patches: one showing a caterpillar and reading "CATERPILLAR CLUB" (issued to those who successfully used a parachute to escape a disabled aircraft), on the left chest pocket; and a "winged foot" (issued to those who escaped enemy-occupied territory) on the right. The jacket also has Mosher''s flight wings, 8th Air Force shoulder patch, Air Force collar insignia, sergeant''s stripes, and service ribbons. Mosher''s serial number and name ("Moe") are penned in ink on the lining within. Fine condition. SGT. NORMAN C. MOSHER served with the 445th Bomb Group, 2nd Wing, 8th Air Force. On April 24, 1944, flying out of Tibenham, Norfolk, his B-24 was shot down over Belgium and the 22 year-old Mosher bailed-out just north of Charleroi. Half of the crew, including the pilot and co-pilot, apparently went down with the burning aircraft. In his post-escape report (copy included), Mosher stated: "...I came down at Stanelot Belgium and after landing walked around two hours when I came upon a man who said he would contact the right people. He spoke English...A farmer took care of my chute...From then on my journey was arranged. I met the Americans at Iray, Belgium in Sept. 11. I do not remember any names..." Mosher received a Purple Heart for an eye injury from his escape from the plane. With additional information.

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December 19, 2017 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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