We don't usually offer U.S. items but occasionally some nice pieces come along. An O.D. Field Jacket dated June 1944 and named to 31175125 Corporal Emile Coulombe. Coulombe was from New Hampshire, he enlisted on September 17, 1942 with qualifications as a chauffeur. While the jacket is missing its collar badges and "ruptured duck" it does retain a very nice 9th Army Air Force shoulder title, corporal's stripes, meritorious unit commendation and a single service stripe. In the pocket is found a ribbon bar without ribbon and overseas service stripes. There is light mothing throughout with some moderate mothing on the lower left sleeve.
The U.S. Army 9th Air Force was activated on 1 Sep 1941. Redesignated Ninth AF in April 1942. Moved to Egypt and began operations on 12 November 1942, participating in the Allied drive across Egypt and Libya, the campaign in Tunisia, and the invasions of Sicily and Italy. Moved to England in Oct 1943 to become the tactical air force for the invasion of the Continent. Helped prepare for the assault on Normandy, supported operations on the beach in Jun 1944, and took part in the drive that carried the Allies across France and culminated in victory over Germany in May 1945. Inactivated in Germany on 2 Dec 1945
