Original Item: One-of-a-kind. The 301st Troop Carrier Squadron was first activated as the 301st Troop Carrier Squadron in August 1943 at Sedalia Army Air Field, Missouri as a I Troop Carrier Command Douglas C-47 Skytrain squadron. After training in Missouri and later North Carolina, it was sent to Baer Field, Indiana for final equipping with aircraft and personnel. The 301st deployed to Ninth Air Force in England, and was assigned to IX Troop Carrier Command in March 1944 during the build-up prior to the invasion of France.

The squadron participated in the D-Day operation, dropping 101st Airborne Division paratroops near Cherbourg, then carried out re-supply and glider delivery missions the following day.

The squadron's aircraft flew supplies into Normandy as soon as suitable landing strips were available and evacuated casualties to England. On 17 July the air echelon flew to Grosseto Airfield in Italy to prepare for operations connected with Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France, returning to England on 24 August.

The squadron moved to France in September 1944 and for the balance of the Northern France Campaign and the Western Allied invasion of Germany, it was engaged in combat resupply of ground forces, operating from advanced landing grounds in northern France. It delivered supplies to rough resupply and evacuation airfields near the front lines, returning combat casualties to field hospitals in rear areas.

After V-E Day, the squadron was based in the Leipzig area, then when Leipzig was turned over to the Soviet Union as part of its occupation zone, it was moved to the American Zone of Berlin where it was the first American air unit to occupy Tempelhof Airdrome on 4 July 1945.

This is a genuine M43 (M-1943) Field Jacket for a Glider pilot in the 301st Troop Carrier Squadron during World War Two. It is offered in excellent condition. It has embroidered glider pilot wings on the front, 9th air force insignia patch on the right shoulder and an Airborne Troop Carrier Patch on the left shoulder.

The reverse of the jacket features a hand painted 301st Troop Carrier Squadron insignia of a bulldog holding lightning bolts in its paw riding a glider on top of a glider with an open parachute. While the paint appears to be period correct, it is in exceptionally good condition, which may mean its possibly post war applied. This jacket was obtained as part of the Jeff Warner collection. Mr. Warner was a renown collector and author on WWII uniforms and equipment with more than a half dozen books on the subject.

This is an incredible hand painted one-of-a-kind jacket from World War Two!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to Shoulder: 11"
Shoulder to Sleeve: 25"
Shoulder to Shoulder: 18"
Chest width: 21"
Waist width: 16.5"
Hip width: 16.5"
Front length: 23"