Slemp_180316_19746.jpg | Aerographs - Aviation Photography

This type A-2 flight jacket belonged to Henry J. Gerards, a pilot attached to the 570th squadron of the 390th Bomb Group. On the front left of the jacket is the 570th squadron insignia patch, a joker with 4 aces behind it. Above the patch is the name plate which reads “H.J. Gerards”, Gerards’ silver Army Air Corp wings are attached to the jacket above the name plate. The 390th Bombardment Group’s insignia patch is attached to the front right of the jacket. The 8th Air Force insignia patch is attached to the left sleeve of the jacket. There is no artwork on the back of the jacket. Gerards flew 23 missions over Europe as a member of the 570th squadron. On his 23rd mission, a raid over Magdeberg on May 28, 1944, Gerards aircraft was shot down. Gerards was then taken prisoner by the Germans and was held at Stalag Luft 3, a Luftwaffe prisoner of war camp. He was a prisoner of war for a year and was released at the conclusion of WWII.

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Filename: Slemp_180316_19746.jpg
Copyright: ©2018 John Slemp
Image Size: 6529x6433 / 10.0MB; www.aerographs.com; 390th Bomb Group 8th Air Force A-2 flight jacket B-17 Mariel Watt WWII aviation bomber jackets book project embroidered patches history leather jacket military museum no artwork verso no tag service wings 570th Squadron
Contained in galleries: 8th Air Force

This type A-2 flight jacket belonged to Henry J. Gerards, a pilot attached to the 570th squadron of the 390th Bomb Group. On the front left of the jacket is the 570th squadron insignia patch, a joker with 4 aces behind it. Above the patch is the name plate which reads “H.J. Gerards”, Gerards’ silver Army Air Corp wings are attached to the jacket above the name plate. The 390th Bombardment Group’s insignia patch is attached to the front right of the jacket. The 8th Air Force insignia patch is attached to the left sleeve of the jacket. There is no artwork on the back of the jacket. Gerards flew 23 missions over Europe as a member of the 570th squadron. On his 23rd mission, a raid over Magdeberg on May 28, 1944, Gerards aircraft was shot down. Gerards was then taken prisoner by the Germans and was held at Stalag Luft 3, a Luftwaffe prisoner of war camp. He was a prisoner of war for a year and was released at the conclusion of WWII.