Original Items: Only One Group Available. This is a wonderful WWII China Burma India Theater grouping named to a Technical Sergeant Huck. Sergeant Huck was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal (with cluster) for his actions during the war.
This lovely group consists of the following:
- Size 38 Ike Jacket: The jacket is in lovely condition with beautiful British made insignia. The left shoulder features a lovely bullion CBI patch which displays only minor fading. The right shoulder has another British made patch but for the USAFF and is also in bullion with fading showing in the felt roundel. Each side has Technical Sergeant chevrons with two overseas stripes (1 year overseas) on the lower left sleeve. The collar devices reflect service with the USAFF while the distinctive unit crests are for the China Burma India theater. The ribbons and device featured on the left side are the Aerial Gunner Aviation badge with a ribbon bar beneath it featuring the following ribbons: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with cluster, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign with 3 bronze stars. The right side features a Ruptured Duck patch and a Presidential Unit Citation. On the inside of the collar you will find Huck-0074 handwritten. Unfortunately we have not been able to find a complete ASN for Sergeant Huck. With Huck being a rather common name during WW2, it has been difficult for us to research, but that does not mean you won’t be able to! This is a wonderful research opportunity.
- Overseas Cap: The cap features the standard Blue and Orange piping for the Army Air Forces. The left side features an incredible bullion CBI insignia was is all cloth in construction and built onto a safety pin! Definitely a seldom seen style insignia.
- Green Wool Shirt
- Enlisted “Crusher” Cap: This visor has an incredible “been there” look to it and is heavily worn. The brim is extremely soft and flexible, it appears to have had the stiffener removed and stitched back together! The leather sweatband is partially detached and exhibits signs of heavy wear with crack and degradation throughout. All markings and stamps are no longer visible but we estimate the size to be approximately 56cm.
- Khaki Tie: The tie has a different name stamped into it and as the saying goes “gear adrift is gear a gift”. The tie has the name R.J. Slesinger stamped in black ink around the neck portion.
- USAAF ANB-H-1 Receivers: Features small rubber surrounds, attached to an adjustable leather covered steel headband. They are maker marked with intact fabric covered wiring, which still has an intact end plug.
- M3 Colt 1911 .45 "Tanker" Shoulder Holster by Boyt: The holster is dated 1943 and in lovely service worn condition and without damage. Original M3's were made in plain, "natural" leather. The dark chestnut brown of this original is from oil, use, dirt, and age. It is embossed on the front U.S. meaning it was military issues (not civilian) and is nicely stamped on the reverse.
This is truly an incredible grouping attributed to a member of the US Army Air Forces during WW2. All items come ready for research and display!
China Burma India Theater
China Burma India Theater (CBI) was the United States military designation during World War II for the China and Southeast Asian or India–Burma (IBT) theaters. Operational command of Allied forces (including U.S. forces) in the CBI was officially the responsibility of the Supreme Commanders for South East Asia or China. However, US forces in practice were usually overseen by General Joseph Stilwell, the Deputy Allied Commander in China; the term "CBI" was significant in logistical, material and personnel matters; it was and is commonly used within the US for these theaters.
U.S. and Chinese fighting forces in the CBI included the Chinese Expeditionary Force, the Flying Tigers, transport and bomber units flying the Hump, including the Tenth Air Force, the 1st Air Commando Group, the engineers who built the Ledo Road, the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), popularly known as "Merrill's Marauders", and the 5332d Brigade, Provisional or 'Mars Task Force', which assumed the Marauders' mission.
