Item Description
Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the gorgeous uniform of Lieutenant Joseph T. Flynn, 141st Pursuit Squadron, Army Air Forces. In 1916, Flynn served with the 69th Regiment at the Mexican border briefly before reporting to Cambridge for air training. He continued training in Foggia, Italy under Captain Fiorello LaGuardia. He saw service at the front and had some narrow escapes, including being shot down by an enemy plane near the American lines on the morning of November 11th, 1918. He was rescued, unharmed, by Germans who informed him that peace had just been declared. From this, we believe him to be one of if not the last American pilot shot down during World War I.
Flynn’s uniform has 1st Lieutenant bars on both shoulders, with U.S. and Aviation officer’s collar insignia. There are two overseas chevrons on the left cuff, denoting 12-17 months overseas. Above the left breast pocket is stitched a gorgeous set of bullion pilot’s wings. Below these are a two-spot ribbon bar with the Mexican Border service ribbon, for Flynn’s service with the 69th New York Regiment at the border, and the U.S. Victory Ribbon with two campaign stars (one fell off).
Inside the interior pocket is stitched a tag reading:
JOSEPH T. FLYNN
N.Y.C.
This identifies the jacket to Flynn, who was born on August 24th, 1894 in Greenwich Village, New York. On July 6th, 1916, Flynn enlisted in the New York National Guard and was made a 1st Sergeant with the 69th Infantry and served along the Mexican border. Following this, he joined the Army Air Service and began training. According to his obituary, he traveled overseas to Italy, where he continued his pilot’s training under Captain Fiorello LaGuardia, later Mayor of New York City and Congressman. Flynn then transferred to the Army Air Service and was assigned to the 141st Pursuit Squadron, seeing combat in the Toul Defensive Sector during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. According to his obituary, Flynn was shot down on the morning of November 11th, 1918, and was then told by his rescuers that peace had just been declared.
After returning home, Flynn served as an Assemblyman from the 10th District in Manhattan. Flynn passed away on November 26th, 1935 at the young age of 41.
This is a truly tremendous jacket named to a pilot shot down on the final day of the war. Comes ready for further research and display!
Approximate Measurements:-
Collar to shoulder: 9"
Shoulder to sleeve: 25”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13"
Chest width: 18”
Waist: 16"
Hip width: 20"
Front length: 29"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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