Original Items: One-of-a-kind. Captain Frank B. Laseck 0-814707 was a WW2 Army Air Force fighter pilot during World War II and was 340th Fighter Squadron leader in the 5th Air Force at the age of 21. He flew 204 combat missions in the Pacific Theater and received several medals for his military accomplishments including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Presidential Unit Citation.

This is an excellent WW2 U.S. A-2 flight jacket produced by Aero Leather Co. The jacket features a highly detailed full color 340th Fighter Squadron insignia patch on the left chest. The jacket has an original functional Talon zipper, original liner and original knit cuffs and waistband. The inside of the jacket is stenciled in black F.B. LASECK 0-814707. The leather is in very good supple condition and the original data tag is still intact.

The 340th Fighter Squadron was first activated at Mitchel Field, New York at the end of September 1942 as one of the original three squadrons of the 348th Fighter Group. Mitchel was only an activation base for the squadron, which moved on paper the same day to Bradley Field, Connecticut. The squadron trained at various bases in the Northeastern United States with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts until ready for overseas shipment in May 1943.

Upon arrival in New Guinea, the squadron flew patrol and reconnaissance missions and escorted bombers attacking Japanese targets in New Guinea and New Britain. Between 16 and 31 December 1943, the squadron flew missions covering Allied landings and supporting the advance of ground forces in New Britain, for which it was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation.

In 1944 the unit began attacks on airfields, military installations and shipping in western New Guinea, Seram Island and Halmahera with the aim of neutralizing enemy forces in that area to prepare for the Allied assault on the Philippines. As the attack progressed, the squadron moved to the Philippines in November 1944, providing convoy cover and ground support for invading forces, in addition to continuing its other missions. On 24 December 1944, the squadron was part of a group formation covering bombers attacking Clark Field. The unit defended the bombers against enemy interceptors, earning a second Distinguished Unit Citation. The squadron was also cited by the Philippine government for its support for the liberation of the Philippines.

The forward move of the squadron enabled it to begin attacks on shipping along the coast of China and to escort bombers flying missions to Taiwan. The squadron began transitioning into North American P-51 Mustang fighters in February 1945. It moved to the Ryuku Islands shortly before the end of the war, and conducted escort and attack missions to Japan before the war ended. In October 1945, it moved to Itami Airfield as part of the occupation forces and was inactivated there in May 1946.