The Type M1944 tunic also known as the "Ike" Jacket was an American adaptation of the British issued battle dress blouse. By the end of the war the M1944 replaced the longer Type M1939, M1940, and M1942 style coats.
This M1944 was worn by Lt. Gen. Jimmy Doolittle while serving in Europe during World War II. Gen. Doolittle had a distinguished career in aviation. Prior to World War II, he conducted the first successful "blind flying" experiments using only instruments. He also won a number of famous air races including the1925 Schneider Cup Race in the Curtiss R3C, the 1931 Bendix Race in the Laird Super Solution, and the 1932 Thompson Trophy Race in the Gee Bee R-1. He is best known for leading the famous raid on Japan in 1942 with B-25 medium bombers launched from aircraft carrier the U.S.S. Hornet. In January 1944, Doolittle replaced Gen. Ira Eaker as the Commander of the 8th Air Force in England.
Donated by Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle (USAF, Ret.)
Date: 1939-1945
Country of Origin: United States of America
Materials:
Lining: Rayon
Overall: Wool
Insignia: Silver
Physical Description:
Gen. James H. Doolittle's United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Type 1944 tunic; olive drab wool "Ike" jacket with four hidden buttons down front; two patch pockets with flap and box pleat; drop fall collar; waist belt; command pilot badge over left breast pocket; 17 medal ribbons (Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medal, World War I Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign; World War II Victory Medal; Order of the Condor of the Andes; Order of Polina Restituta; Honor Medal [China], Knight Commander Order of the Bath, Croix de Guerre [France], Order of the Crown), three star Lieutenant General's rank insignia on epaulets; gold wire embroidered 8th Air Force insignia on left shoulder; winged propeller U.S. Army Air Force and United States national insignia on collar.
