Description:

M1942 JUMP JACKET OF THE PLANNER OF THE LOS BANOS RAID
HENRY J. MULLER (1917 - ?) American brigadier general, earlier a G-2 with the 11th Airborne during World War II who was one of the two chief planners of the Los Banos Raid [Philippines], Feb. 23, 1945. In that action, a combined U.S. Army Airborne and Filipino guerrilla task force liberated 2,147 Allied civilian and military internees from a Japanese internment camp. It has been celebrated as one of the most successful rescue operations in modern military history. We offer the M1942 jump jacket and pants worn by Muller during his training as a paratrooper at Fort Benning, Georgia. Both items are in virtually new condition, as Muller notes in a letter of provenance, he wore them only once! The zipper-front jump jacket was designed specifically for paratroopers. It features four spacious bellows pockets with large pocket flaps, the top two angled for ease of access in combat jump situations. The neck, pockets and cuffs are fitted with double snap closures to keep them from opening during jumps, and the jacket's generous cut is secured with a waist belt to minimize equipment snags. The trousers bear four regular hip pockets and two large leg pockets, button fly closure, and narrow ankles fitted with elastic to prevent wind from entering. A Philadelphia Quartermaster tag is sewn within. But for a few small brown spots on one pocket, both items are in nearly new condition. Three letters of provenance are included, all written by Muller to a determined collector between 1990 and 1997. The 1990 letters mention the jump suit and sending it to the collector: "...I hope you will be pleased with the jump suit...I believe I wore it for only one jump...It was too hot, however, to wear in the oven-like heat of a C-47 at Fort Benning in the summer...My jump suit, in a plastic cover, has been hanging in a long series of closets for nearly 50 years!..." Muller's 1997 letter sends two photos of himself (included) and mentions the raid: "This was a dramatic operation...". Also present are photocopies of two typed speeches given by Muller, one upon the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Los Banos Raid, the other anecdotes of his exploits in the South Pacific, along with a hardbound copy of the book The Los Banos Raid, by Lt. Gen. E. M. Flanagan (Novato, Ca: Presidio Press), 1986. A mint condition jumpsuit owned by an important military figure of the Pacific War.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

COD (cash on delivery), Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipment is sent USPS priority, USPS International Express (for most overseas), DHL or UPS Ground at the auctioneer's option, signature required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling, shipping and insurance charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items are not shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee.

September 10, 2013 11:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 22.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 + $1,000