Original Item: One-of-a-kind. First Lieutenant Donald L. Zeiler Army Serial Number 13171869 was born March 7, 1925, in Pittsburgh, PA. Don graduated early from Baldwin High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps during his senior year. He was inducted on January 7, 1944, and trained as a pilot. Don flew 38 missions with the 748th Bombardment Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. As a First Lieutenant, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on bombing missions over Germany on August 30, October 28 and Dec 6, 1944.

This size 40 A-2 jacket features an incredible hand-painted depiction of Zeiler’s B-17 bomber THY WILL BE DONE set against a wonderful 8th Air Force insignia surrounded by 35 silver bombs and THE GREMLINS written in script above the plane. We were told that "Gremlins" was the nickname Don had for he and his crew. A faded A-11 is painted partially under the collar high on the back.

The left chest bears a large custom leather embossed set of painted silver pilots wings that once had a back background and below that is a matching leather name patch that also has the remains of a black background with silver painted letters that read D.L. ZEILER.

The epaulets show leather lieutenant bars that were once painted.

Interior of the jacket still retains the original lining with Rough Wear Clothing Co tag. The jacket is in very good original condition with a function original TALON zipper, two front pouch buttoned pockets, and knit waist and cuffs. The cuffs and waist appear to be period correct replacements. 

Offered in very good to fine condition with expected wear to the inner collar area, this is an incredible jacket from U.S. bomber pilot that received Distinguished Flying Cross!

Through the 457 bomb squadron site we were able to find wartime photos of Lt. Zeiler and his crew. One group shot in front of the plane lists the crew as follows: Donald L. Zeiler, Sidney A. Bacon, Hiram M. Drache, William C. Oliver, Samuel J. Gelvin, Dominic F. Muscato, Donald A. Swisher, Stanley R. Patterson, James J. Rodel.

HISTORY of the 457th Bomb Group:
Constituted as 457th Bombardment Group (Heavy) on 19 May 1943. Activated on 1 Jul 1943. Trained for combat with B-17's. Moved to England, Jan-Feb 1944, and assigned to Eighth AF. Flew first mission on 21 Feb 1944 during Big Week, taking part in the concentrated attacks of heavy bombers on the German aircraft industry. Until Jun 1944, engaged primarily in bombardment of strategic targets, such as ball-bearing plants, aircraft factories, and oil refineries in Germany. Bombed targets in France during the first week of Jun 1944 in preparation for the Normandy invasion, and attacked coastal defenses along the Cherbourg peninsula on D-Day. Struck airfields, railroads, fuel depots, and other interdictory targets behind the invasion beaches throughout the remainder of the month. Resumed bombardment of strategic objectives in Jul 1944 and engaged chiefly in such operations until Apr 1945. Sometimes flew support and interdictory missions, aiding the advance of ground forces during the St Lo breakthrough in Jul 1944 and the landing of British 1 Airborne Division during the airborne attack on Holland in Sep 1944; and participating in the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945, and the assault across the Rhine in Mar 1945. Flew last combat mission on 20 Apr 1945. Transported prisoners of war from Austria to France after V-E Day. Returned to the US in Jun 1945. Inactivated on 18 Aug 1945.

Squadrons:
748th: 1943-1945.
749th: 1943-1945.
750th: 1943-1945.
751st: 1943-1945.

Stations:
Geiger Field, Wash, 1 Jul 1943
Rapid City AAB, SD, 9 Jul 1943
Ephrata AAB, Wash, 28 Oct 1943
Wendover Field, Utah, 4 Dec 1943-1 Jan 1944
Glatton, England, 22 Jan 1944-1 Jun 1945
Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 20 Jul-18 Aug 1945.

Commanders:
Col Herbert E Rice, 24 Jul 1943
Lt Col Hugh D Wallace, 3 Sep 1943
Col James R Luper, 4 Jan 1944
Col Harris E Rogner, 11 Oct 1944-Aug 1945.

Campaigns:
Air Offensive, Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe.

Group Web Site:
http://www.457thbombgroup.org/