Description:

PEARL HARBOR WHEELER FIELD PILOT'S LEATHER JACKET
An especially rare leather A-2 flight jacket worn by a member of an air wing attached to the 18th Air Base Group. This group was present at Wheeler Field near Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 when the Japanese undertook their surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. The leather jacket bears an extraordinarily rare 5 in. diameter dyed leather patch on the left breast depicting the emblem of the 18th Air Base Group of the Hawaiian Air Force, Army Air Corps. The patch displays a god-like figure holding an early fighter biplane in his upraised left hand, with a wrench in his lowered right hand. Just above this patch is a light brown leather tab bearing the embossed name: 'T. B. WITHERS', the jacket having been owned by Lt. Thomas Branch Withers. A copy of his calling card is included in the lot. The jacket is in excellent condition, still supple with the cloth at bottom and sleeve ends bearing a few tiny holes, but also excellent. The pocket snaps and zipper also remain completely functional. The original maker's label from J. A. Dubrow, Chicago remains in place below the collar, and the jacket is further labeled as a size 36. The 18th Air Base Group was tasked with all types of flight and support duties at Wheeler Field. These included aerial patrol and photography, care of the base buildings, grounds, and other facilities. At the time of the Japanese attack, most of these men were still stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield which was the first target to be attacked. Still, twelve Wheeler pilots were able to get their airplanes off the ground and engage the Japanese. A few of the members of the 18th Air Base Group were stationed earlier in the year at Bellows Airfield as well. It too was attacked by the Japanese the same day. The label and construction of the jacket certainly appears to place it ca. 1940, and there appears to be no record of the 18th Air Base Group still remaining in existence following the attack. It may be the case that, like many such pilots, Withers was retrained and eventually assigned to a base closer to the front. Sold with a copy of Withers' business card as mentioned above and research, as well as three original 8 x 10 in. period photographs taken by the aerial photographic section of the 18th Air Base Group including images of downtown Honolulu and Muana Kea volcano. One of the rarest and most desirable jackets obtainable.

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*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping 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. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be 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. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

December 7, 2021 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 + $10,000