This is an example of a United States Marine Corps officer's service coat used during World War II.
This coat was worn by the donor 1st Lt. James J. Donahue. He served with Marine Scout Bomber Squadron VMSB-142 "Wild Hares" during the liberation of the Philippines. VMSB-142 along with other Marine bombing squadrons operated as close aerial ground support. They adopted new procedures that utilized a Marine air liaison party (ALP) assigned to every ground unit down to the battalion level. These ALPs were comprised of Marine aviators who would directly control the support aircraft from radio-equipped jeeps at the front lines.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.