Remarkable grouping of World War II military apparel belonging to Staff Sergeant William C. King, a B-24 aerial gunner with the 576th Bomb Squadron in Wendling, England. The collection is highlighted by a brown leather Type A-2 flight jacket, size 36, with inside collar area stamped “K-2385” and twice “King, W. C., 14182385,” with manufacturer tag reading: "Type A-2, Drawing No. 30-1415, A. C. Order No. 1756, Property, Air Force, U. S. Army." The back of the jacket features an excellent hand-painted insignia of the Eighth Air Force Winged Star with a central B-24 dropping a total of 35 bombs, and the front left breast marked in white paint, “King.” The zippered jacket is in functional, original condition, with Conmar zipper to front, two front pouch buttoned pockets, and knit waist and cuffs.
Also includes:
An Army Air Force (AAF) enlisted man’s tunic, size 38R, with inner collar area stamped “K-2385” and marked “King, K-12087,” and jacket exterior featuring Sergeant first class rank patches, AFF and Eighth Air Force patches, aerial gunner wings badge, collar insignia, and ribbon bars (Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Good Conduct, and Unit Citation).
A wool AAF long-sleeve shirt, size 15 ½ and 32, stamped in the inner collar, “K-2385,” with collar insignia and shoulders bearing Sergeant first class rank, AAF Training Command, and Eighth Air Force patches.
An early United States Air Force (USAF) blue officer’s tunic, size 36B, with embroidered chest ribbon bars, US collar insignia, shoulder captain rank insignia, and numerous Air Force uniform buttons.
A USAF blue officer’s visor cap with prominent US eagle pin, black strap with Air Force buttons, and underside of visor marked, “Capt. King.” In overall very good to fine condition.
Other accompaniments include: a glossy 7.5 x 9.5 photo of King wearing his pilot uniform with goggles, framed to a slightly larger size; King’s personal copy of a second edition of The Air Officer’s Guide: 1949 Edition, hardcover with dust jacket, signed on the first free end page in black ink, “Lt. William C. King, Jr., A01856823, USAF,” with notable wear to dust jacket; handwritten notes from King’s widow, listing her husband’s various military career accomplishments, including: “392nd Bomb Group/756th Bomb Squad, 8th Air Force,” “Received Distinguished Flying Cross Air medal—4 bronze oak leaf clusters,” “American Campaign medal,” “World War II victory medal,” “Korean Service medal—4 service stars,” and many others; and printed information packets from the “392 Bomb Group” website, which indicates that King participated in a total of 39 bombing missions, rather then the 35 indicated by the bombs painted on the A-2 jacket.
