Maverickson
Well-Known Member
Hi All,
See my WW-2 era M-421a Block. This jacket is IDed to a career USN aviator. In fact this jacket's winged ID tag on the jacket dates his time that he flew the SB2C Helldiver with VB-15 during WW-2 off of the USS Essex (CV-9).
The jacket's original owner was CDR. James Barnitz. A Lt. when he won two Navy Cross medals during his combat deployment with the USS Essex. His citation for one of his two NC medals was for his participation in sinking the sister ship of the BB Yamato aka Musashi.
Note that Barnitz made a direct hit. The sinking of the Musashi was a process and a blow by blow account is available. I will seek to include that account I have read in the past later on.
In addition to Barnitz's WW-2 era leather winged ID tag, his Korean War era and last model of the VA-55 Torpcat patch is also seen attached. To include the 1955 model VA-55 Warhorses patch and 1955 ATG-2 cruise patch.
By chance, post WW-2 the owner of this same jacket was my late father's first XO when he joined VA-55 in 1955.
James Barnitz as seen in the group VB-15 taken in Hawaii and just prior to embarking on the squadron's 1944 USS Essex combat deployment.
I singled out Barnitz from that group pic as seen here.
During the course of Barnitz's USS Essex combat deployment I'm aware that because of battle damage the original owner of this same jacket was forced to ditch at sea on at least one occasion. Later rescued by a Destroyer. On another occasion that I found to be well documented occurred when his Helldiver A/C was so badly shot up he barely made it back on board as seen below.
A close up I found at the National Archives of Barnitz and his gunner as seen from the deck of the USS Essex.
It is my firm belief that once the War ended and Barnitz gained rank his combat worn Block jacket became a keepsake. Then later attached his command patches from VA-55 to the jacket.
As seen below two of those 1955 model VA-55 related (Warhorses & Air Task Group Two) patches seen attached to Barnitz's Block jacket are also found on my father's original flight jacket (1955 issued G-1 Cagleco) and catalyst for the Block's purchase.
Cheers, Dave
See my WW-2 era M-421a Block. This jacket is IDed to a career USN aviator. In fact this jacket's winged ID tag on the jacket dates his time that he flew the SB2C Helldiver with VB-15 during WW-2 off of the USS Essex (CV-9).
The jacket's original owner was CDR. James Barnitz. A Lt. when he won two Navy Cross medals during his combat deployment with the USS Essex. His citation for one of his two NC medals was for his participation in sinking the sister ship of the BB Yamato aka Musashi.
Note that Barnitz made a direct hit. The sinking of the Musashi was a process and a blow by blow account is available. I will seek to include that account I have read in the past later on.
In addition to Barnitz's WW-2 era leather winged ID tag, his Korean War era and last model of the VA-55 Torpcat patch is also seen attached. To include the 1955 model VA-55 Warhorses patch and 1955 ATG-2 cruise patch.
By chance, post WW-2 the owner of this same jacket was my late father's first XO when he joined VA-55 in 1955.
James Barnitz as seen in the group VB-15 taken in Hawaii and just prior to embarking on the squadron's 1944 USS Essex combat deployment.
I singled out Barnitz from that group pic as seen here.
During the course of Barnitz's USS Essex combat deployment I'm aware that because of battle damage the original owner of this same jacket was forced to ditch at sea on at least one occasion. Later rescued by a Destroyer. On another occasion that I found to be well documented occurred when his Helldiver A/C was so badly shot up he barely made it back on board as seen below.
A close up I found at the National Archives of Barnitz and his gunner as seen from the deck of the USS Essex.
It is my firm belief that once the War ended and Barnitz gained rank his combat worn Block jacket became a keepsake. Then later attached his command patches from VA-55 to the jacket.
As seen below two of those 1955 model VA-55 related (Warhorses & Air Task Group Two) patches seen attached to Barnitz's Block jacket are also found on my father's original flight jacket (1955 issued G-1 Cagleco) and catalyst for the Block's purchase.
Cheers, Dave
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