Item Description
Original Item: Only One Grouping Available. The AN-J-3A was the last leather jacket issued to the US Navy in World War 2, and was followed up by the G-1. It featured a mouton collar; ribbed cuffs and hem; front patch pockets; and a gusseted back for mobility in the cockpit. It's also a jacket that isn't commonly reproduced, with most attention going to the A-2 and other earlier jackets.
The jacket belonged to US Navy Wildcat pilot Lieutenant Junior Grade Guy E. Cory Jr., who was a member of the Composite Squadron VC-72. From 1942 until 1945 the VC designation was assigned to squadrons that comprised fighter and bomber aircraft and flew from escort carriers. All such units were disestablished with the post-war mothballing of escort carriers.
The grouping consists of the following items:
- AN-J-3A Leather Jacket: The jacket was manufactured by Gordon & Ferguson Inc and is a size US 42. The jacket features a lovely “Ball The Jack” Composite Squadron 72 patch. The patch is a lovely embroidered cloth example. The left side of the jacket has a leather name tag for G.E. CORY JR. / USNR. The left shoulder has a fantastic embroidered CBI patch. Underneath the collar is a correct silver “US” stamped, faded but present. Overall condition is close to excellent with minor wear present.
- United States Naval Aviator Certificate: This is a small pocket sized certificate card holder for Lt Cory. The certificates inside state that he fulfilled the “conditions prescribed” by The Navy and was appointed a Naval Aviator on May 3, 1944. The other card is for the type of aircraft he was qualified for and it was a Single Engine type of plane.
- VC-71 “Float Book”: The book is actually rather humorous when you pay attention to the sketches in it. The book itself is a composite of photos from each element within VC-71 with Cory being on page 5. The end of the book is humerous but talks about the squadron’s deployment.
- Large Naval Air Training Center Certificate (14 ⅝” x 10”): This is a certificate he received upon completion of his Naval Aviation school in Corpus Christi, Texas on May 3, 1944.
- x16 Uniform Buttons, Dog Tags and Pilot Wings: This is a lovely assortment of items which compliments the certificate very well when displayed.
- Over 100 Personal Letters: We have not read any of the letters and they can be difficult to read due to the ink bleeding.
This is a fantastic grouping with all items in wonderful condition. Comes more than ready for further research and display!
Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10”
Shoulder to sleeve: 27”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 22”
Waist width: 20”
Hip width: 18”
Front length: 31"
Composite Squadron 72
On September 1, 1944, Composite Squadron 72, one of the Navy’s first streamlined squadrons, was commissioned at Naval Air Station Seattle, Washington. Thirty days after its commissioning, VC-72 was ordered to Navy Auxiliary Air Station Quillayute, Washington to continue training. On December 31, 1944, the squadron was ordered to Naval Auxiliary Air Station 29 Palms, California for rocket training. On January 25, 1945, VC-72 was ordered to Naval Air Station San Diego, California to undergo a course in Anti-Submarine warfare, night flying and Carrier qualification preparatory to going aboard a carrier. While stationed at NAS San Diego, California, VC-72 successfully completed the course in Anti-Submarine Warfare. On March 1, 1945, the squadron went aboard the U.S.S. Takanis Bay for Carrier qualification. All members of the squadron successfully qualified and the squadron returned three days later to NAS San Diego for further training. On April 30, 1945, the Squadron reported aboard the U.S.S. Manila Bay for transportation to Pearl Harbor, arriving on May 9, 1945.
No sooner than the ship was settled, orders were received to board transport planes for transportation to NAS Puunene on the island of Maui for a month-long intensive refresher course in Ground Support, anti-submarine warfare and night carrier qualification. During the month of May, the Squadron successfully completed Night Carrier qualifications aboard the U.S.S. Kasaan Bay and on June 10, 1945, the squadron was ordered to NAS Pearl Harbor for preparations to board the U.S.S. Kasaan Bay as its permanent squadron. Assigned to the U.S.S. Kasaan Bay, on June 1, 1945, VC-72 went aboard the ship on June 15, 1945 following completion of certain repairs made on the carrier and sailed for Guam on the morning of the 16th.
The Task Group arrived at Guam on August 3, 1945, and following logistics, sailed for it’s assigned station in the Philippine Sea between Guam and Leyte, where operations were continued. On August 15, 1945, Japan agreed to the Unconditional Surrender and the group was ordered to return to Guam immediately, arriving on August 17, 1945. Twelve days later, the group was ordered to Saipan, arriving at Tanapag Harbor on the evening of the 29th.
On September 13, 1945, VC-72, while based aboard the U.S.S. Kasaan Bay, at anchor in Saipan, was ordered to return to the United States, arriving in San Diego, California on September 30, 1945. Upon disembarkation, the Squadron was ordered to be Decommissioned and was decommissioned as of October 1, 1945.
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