USAAF D-1 Mechanics Shearling Jacket by H.Bernstein & Co

This example is complete with its original label and dates from a 1942 contract and is a medium size. While it has clearly had a tough war it comes with an interesting history. We are selling on behalf of the current owner who's Uncle Maurice served in Burma with the Chindits and in mid 1945 was on the wrong end of a Japanese grenade and took severe shrapnel wounds. Added to this he was suffering from malaria, dysentery and a tropical ulcer and weighing just 7 stone he was invalided back home. He was sent by hospital ship to North Africa but in declining health the crew of a B- 24 took pity on him and offered him a ferry ride home. Due to bad weather they landed at Thorpe Abbotts, where the 100th Bomb Group were serving flying the B-17. While awaiting a lift he was spotted shivering with malaria by a passing USAAF flight mechanic who placed his D-1 over Maurice for the final part of his journey by ambulance. When he finally recovered he tried to return the jacket but found out the owner had been shipped back to the US and was told to keep it. Maurice tried un successfully to contact the GI to thank him for his kindness but failed. The only clue we have to this owner is the name 'Jeep' written in yellow aircraft paint on the left breast, we assume the owners nickname. Post war the jacket was used by the current owner for motorcycle use. The zip is a replacement Lightning and a storm flap has been added at some stage and could be a period modification. It has stitch repairs to the right arm and a seam repair to the left shoulder. While it might be possible to restore as a wearer we feel it is better for the new owner to add to a collection and treasure for its remarkable provenance!