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.
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.