Air Bomber Jacket
PeriodCirca 1944
Place MadeU.S.A.
MediumHeavy cotton canvas, artificial fur, brass, cotton
Dimensions21 in. (53.3 cm)
ClassificationsMilitary Artifacts
Credit LineGift of Alden L. West, Sr., 2005
Object number2005.8.7
DescriptionA man's olive drab heavy woven cotton canvas jacket, with a center front brass zipper closure, ribbed stretch cotton waistband, long sleeves ending in ribbed stretch cotton cuffs, and a brown artificial fur collar. The jacket is entirely lined in artificial brownish tan fur. The back of the jacket features a painted white circle with red stenciling, depicting a bearded viking wearing a winged helmet, with the words "Red Raiders / We Lead" at right and below.NotesAlden Lewis West was born in West Long Branch, Monmouth County, New Jersey, on 19 October 1924. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps and served as a B24 Navigator in the South Pacific. West was part of the 22nd Bomb Group, known as the "Red Raiders," during the war years. After the war, West obtained a degree in Civil Engineering. He worked for the Port Authority on many projects including the Holland Tunnel, Newark Airport, and the New Jersey Turnpike. According to his beautifully written obituary, Alden West's grandchildren "especially loved his bedtime stories abourt WWII." The photograph of West and his fellow crewmates are identified as follows: 22nd Bomb Group / 409th Bomb Squadron / South Pacific Theater of War / World War II / Crew 10342 / Plane - 4 Engine "Liberator" / Top Row / 1. Pilot 2nd Lt. Carl W. Ort / 2. Co. Pilot 2nd Lt. Robert V. Geist / 3. Navigator 2nd Lt. Alden L. West / 4. Bombardier F/O William J. Wheatley / Bottom Row / 1. Engineer Cp George Bergeron / 2. Armover/Nose Gunner Cpl. Edward Riche / 3. Gunner Cpl. Gordon Harriman / 4. Ball Gunner Cpl Richard Chorncan / 5. Radio Operator Cpl. John Schecter / 6. Tail Gunner T/S Tollie Thurson (not in picture) / picture taken 1944."
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