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LOT 1323
Highly Desirable Identified World War II
Painted USAAF B-17 “Lady Satan” A-2 Flight
Jacket - This stunning World War II USAAF A-2
flight jacket was manufactured by Aero Leather
Clothing Co., is a size 42, has a Crown zipper,
and was worn by gunner
Technical Sargent Carl
Stevens who served
aboard the B-17 “Lady
Satan” of the 729th
Bomb Squadron (later
728th Bomb Squadron), 452nd Bomb Group,
8th Air Force. On the right chest is the name
“Steve” painted in yellow and red lettering. 729th
BS insignia is painted on the left chest. The back of
the jacket serves as the leather canvas for a fantastic
work of highly personalized wartime art: “Lady Satan” over a B-17
on a bombing run striking the Third Reich along with a tally of
27 missions. The artwork covers nearly all of the back surface and
shows the skills of a talented artist. Just above the tag on the lining
of the jacket is the handwritten notation “Neiswanger N-7344.”
T/Sgt. Stevens was awarded the Air Medal with four Oak
Leaf Clusters. The Air Medal and all five original citations
with certification card are included. These citations were
“for meritorious achievement while participating in heavy
bombardment missions in the air offensive against the enemy over
Continental Europe.” Stevens reflected on the dangers of flying
aboard a B-17 in combat. During an attack on the oil refineries
at Politz, Germany, he had a close call with death: “As I raised my
head to look at one of the Fortresses crippled by flak, a piece of
shrapnel, about the size of my fist, ripped through the side where
I’d been resting my head. After that the turret became one of the
most uncomfortable places I’ve ever been in.” Stevens completed
his tour of duty. “Lady Satan” was not as fortunate and was lost by
enemy flak on February 6, 1945 over Wiesbaden, Germany. The
452nd BG engaged primarily in the bombardment of strategic
targets in occupied Europe as well as supported ground forces and
interdictory operations in support of the
Allied invasion of Normandy.
Stevens’ other personal items include: 729th BS patch, sterling
silver ID bracelet, five ribbons including Air Medal with four Oak
Clusters, flying charm, Lucky Bastard Club certificate (an unofficial
award to 8th AF bomber crewmembers who completed a tour
of duty), Acme whistle, and a wonderful grouping of period
photographs including “Lady Satan” crewmembers and B-17s
in theater that perfectly capture the human side of the Allied
bombardment offensive.
CONDITION: Very fine, displaying some typical wear, supple leather,
and retaining most of the original painted artwork. An identified
World War II 8th AF B-17 crewmember’s A-2 flight jacket with
fantastic wartime artwork that will make a grand statement to any
aviation collection no matter how advanced.
Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
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