Jacket, Service Dress, M-1949: Brigadier-General, USAF Reserve

jacket Mid-blue, heavy-weight fine quality wool, single-breasted, four-pocketed jacket with dark blue satin lining and single back-vent to tunic skirt. The jacket has dark blue fabric officer grade braid to each cuff. The jacket features four button fastening with dull oxidised silver crested buttons.; two button on the sewn-down epaulettes and one button on each pocket. On each shoulder is a silver-wire embroidered rank star (Brigadier-General). Above the left breast pocket silver wire embroidered wings of a qualified pilot. Below are four rows of medals ribbons indiating the following awards: Distinguished Flying Cross ; the Air Medal; Army commendation Medal; Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal;World War II Victory Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Croix de Geurre 1939-45 (France).

Although the United States Air Force (USAF) became an independent arm of service in 1947, personnel continued to wear the army issue uniforms until they were gradually replaced, the first being issued in 1949. This example was worn by Hollywood screen actor James Stewart. Stewart interrupted his successful film career to join the Air Corps in 1941 but ware of publicity value for the war effort, the US authorities tried to stifle Stewart's desire to fly combat missions and assigned him to successive quiet backwater postings. Stewart, however, persisted and by late 1943 he was commanding the 703rd Bomb Squadron, 445th Bomb Group, posted to Tibenham, Norfolk (flying B-24 Liberators) and went on to fly 20 combat missions over Germany. Gaining the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal he was later transferred as Group Operations Officer to the 453rd Bomb Group in early 1944. Returning to the USA after the war with the rank of Colonel, Stewart resumed his acting career but retained his links with the USAF by joining the Reserve. In this capacity he later took part in combat missions over North Vietnam before finally retiring in 1968 with the rank of Brigadier General. This uniform presented to the IWM for inclusion in the American Air Museum Duxford. See file for details. The gift is from Ms Kelly Stewart and her half-brother, General Stewart's step-son.

LOS ANGELES UNIFORM EXCHANGE CALIFORNIA