Description
Physical description
Single-breasted jacket of blue-grey (AF shade no. 1549) polyester-wool barathea fabric, featuring an open collar with notched lapels, button-down shoulder epaulettes, front fastening of four buttons, pleated breast pockets with scalloped button flaps, slash skirt pockets with rectangular button flaps, plain cuffs and a rear vent. All buttons are of the oxidised silver USAF pattern. Internally, the jacket is partially lined in dark blue satin fabric and has a horizontal slash pocket to either side.
To the collar points are fitted 'US' collar disc insignia of the oxidised silver enlisted pattern. Sewn to either upper arm is a cloth embroidered rank patch denoting the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, machined in silver-grey thread on dark blue, comprising two inverted pointed chevrons above six rounded, with a silver-grey five pointed star to the centre. Above the right breast pocket is fitted a blue plastic name badge with the text 'FARWELL' engraved in white capitals. Above the left breast pocket is pinned a white metal wing badge indicating qualification as Aerial Gunner, and this is of Second World War vintage. Directly beneath this are five rows of medal ribbons, indicating that the wearer was awarded the following: Distinguished Flying Cross; Air Medal (with three oak leaf cluster devices); Air Force Commendation Medal (with one oak leaf cluster device); Purple Heart; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award; Air Force Good Conduct Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal; American Campaign Medal; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with two battle star devices); WWII Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (with Berlin Airlift device); Medal for Humane Action (Berlin Airlift); National Defense Service Medal (with service star device); Vietnam Service Medal (with service star device); Air Force Longevity Service Award (with one oak leaf cluster device); Air Force NCO Professional Development Ribbon; Air Force Marksmanship Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (with 1960 device). Beneath the above, and pinned directly to the pocket flap is the pin-back enamel badge of the 'Caterpillar Club', indicating that he had successfully parachuted from a disable aircraft on active service.
History note
Part of the Service Dress uniform worn by Chief Sergeant Henry Farwell towards the end of his Air Force career.
History note
Henry "Fireball" Farwell, of Milwaukee, enlisted into the USAAF in 1942. With the rank of Technical Sergeant he flew B-26 Marauders (radio operator/gunner) from Great Dunmow, home of the 386th Bomb Group (M) 9th USAAF. Farwell flew 68 combat missions (most of them in the same aircraft, 'Litljo'. Flying in support of the Normandy Invasion, Litljo was hit by enemy Flak on 15 June, its Pilot and Farwell seriously wounded. Farwell describes his own wounds, "....the piece of flak punched a hole in the helmet and knocked it off my head, cutting a deep gash in my scalp. I was unconscious for only a minute or so. I was also hit in my left hip and groin".
Litljo limped back to England for an emergency landing, it's right engine and hydraulic system disabled. Crash-landing at Friston, the two wounded were later taken for hospital treatment at Oxford, via a single-engine stretcher plane. Farwell received X-ray treatment for his head wound and apart from receiving stitches was cleared; however his other injuries detained him in hospital for a further three weeks**. Litljo fared much worse but despite severe damage was refitted for further service until she was eventually damaged beyond repair later on in the war.
Passed fit for duty, Farwell flew just one more mission before being sent back to the USA to Langly Field, Virginia, where he flew further training missions in B-24's. He was discharged in July, 1946.
Farwell re-enlisted in March of 1946, making the Air Force his career. For the remainder of his service he worked in air traffic control, serving in Europe during the Berlin Airlift in 1948, and a tour of Vietnam before retiring with the rank of Chief Master Sergeant in 1973.
His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal (nine subsequent awards) and the Purple Heart (15/6/44).
**Henry Farwell's leather flak helmet that he wore on the day of being wounded is presently displayed at the United States Air Force Museum, Wright-Paterson.
Inscription
COAT, MAN'S TROPICAL WOOL
POLYESTER 9 OZ. AF SHADE
BLUE 1549 CLASS 2
SPECIFICATION MIL-C-27438E (USAF)
8405-935-2803
FRANKLIN CLOTHES INC.
DSA-100-69-C-1248
NAME _________________________________
RANK ____________ SERIAL NO. ________
ORGANIZATION ______________________
60% POLYESTER 40% WOOL