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LOT 349
Highly Desirable, Identified World War II USAAF
100th Bomb Group B-17 “Faithful Forever” Painted
A-2 Flight Jacket - World War II USAAF A-2 flight jackets identified to B-17 Flying Fortress crewmen have captured
a special place in the hearts of modern collectors. As
they should, as these jackets serve as personal reminders
of the gallant effort put forth by a generation in their
fight against fascism. This A-2 jacket is identified to
prisoner of war William Thomas Burruss, the navigator
aboard the B-17 “Faithful Forever” of the 350th Bomb
Squadron, 100th Bomb Group. The 100th BG was one of
the most famous 8th Air Force units of World War II. The
100th BG is better known as “The Bloody Hundredth” due
to its unfortunate reputation for losing a high number of
bombers and aircrews. Although the 100th BG did not suffer
the highest losses of any 8th AF group, the losses it took in
1943 made the macabre nickname felicitious. In a mission
over Munster, for example, only one B-17 from the 100th BG returned. Several times the group suffered nearly a dozen lost aircraft in a single mission. In all, the 100th BG lost 229 aircraft and had 785 men killed or missing in action.
William Thomas “Tommy” Burruss served as navigator on the B-17G
“Faithful Forever” piloted by Leo Ross and assigned to the 350th BS,
100th BG on September 15, 1944 (see https://www.100thbg.com/index.
php?option=com_bombgrp&view=personnel&Itemid=334&id=660). He flew
22 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters and a Purple
Heart for a flak wound to his shoulder that occurred when his plane was shot down. The “Faithful Forever” was one of 12 bombers
shot down by enemy fire on a mission to Hamburg on December 31, 1944. Ross’ crew bailed out and Burruss was captured and was
held as a POW in the German prison camp Stalag Luft 1 near Barth. The casualty report for “Faithful Forever” provided the following
details: “Destroyed by enemy fighters at Bartelsdorf near Rotenburg, Germany. Left the formation in sharp nose down attitude, leveled at approximately 5000 feet. Entered a spin from which the aircraft never recovered. Somehow all the crew bailed out safely and were immediately taken prisoner” (https://100thbg.com/index.php?option=com_bombgrp&view=casualtyreports&Itemid=334&id=154).
Burruss’ A-2 jacket is a fine example of WWII airmen art. The jacket lacks a maker’s tag, is roughly a size 38, has a Talon zipper, and appears to have had another owner as a previous name tag has been removed from the left chest. The back of the jacket serves as the leather canvas for some great artwork. “Faithful Forever” is beautifully painted above a B-17 in clouds, the 8th AF insignia, and a redheaded pinup girl. The pinup has been tastefully censored with a yellow top. This type of censorship was common on articles of clothing owned by airmen and soldiers returning stateside. The B-17 is painted with 452nd BG tail markings, which is more evidence to suggest that Burruss received this jacket from another airman. The airfields for the 452nd and 100th BG were in Norfolk. Painted on the left chest is “Tommy/+” followed by the name “Sara” which has been removed. Sara was likely the name of an ex-sweetheart, and the name was removed once the relationship went south. On the right shoulder are three small fabric flags: United States, Soviet Union, and France. It is possible the French flag represented the dropping of supplies to French forces. The Bloody Hundredth dropped supplies to French Forces in June and December 1944 and for their efforts were awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. The Soviet flag may represent Operation Frantic, which was
a series of seven shuttle bombing operations conducted by American aircraft based in Great Britain and Italy which landed in Soviet airfields in Ukraine. The 100th was one of a few 8th AF units to take part in the operation which took place in June-September 1944. Burruss made it home after the war and, in January 1951, was recalled to active duty and served two years as an electronics instructor at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Included are excerpts from the official monthly histories of the 100th BG and Individual Flight Records for Burruss.
CONDITION: Very good displaying authentic use with typical heavier wear on the sleeves. The liner, cuffs, and waistband are post-war replacements. Most of the vivid paint remains. This World War II A-2 flight jacket identified to a navigator of the famed 100th BG will be a welcome addition to any aviation collection no matter how advanced.
Provenance: The Saloga Collection.
284 Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000