Squadron: 748th Bomb Squadron
Original owner: Lt. Donald ‘Don’ L. Zeiler
Seller: IMA-USA
Location: unknown
Information:
One-of-a-kind. First Lieutenant Donald L. Zeiler Army Serial Number 13171869 was born March 7, 1925, in Pittsburgh, PA. Don graduated early from Baldwin High School and enlisted in the Army Air Corps during his senior year. He was inducted on January 7, 1944, and trained as a pilot. Don flew 38 missions with the 748th Bombardment Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. As a First Lieutenant, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while serving as Pilot of a B-17 airplane on bombing missions over Germany on August 30, October 28 and Dec 6, 1944.
This size 40 A-2 jacket features an incredible hand-painted depiction of Zeiler’s B-17 bomber THY WILL BE DONE set against a wonderful 8th Air Force insignia surrounded by 35 silver bombs and THE GREMLINS written in script above the plane. We were told that “Gremlins” was the nickname Don had for he and his crew. A faded A-11 is painted partially under the collar high on the back.
The left chest bears a large custom leather embossed set of painted silver pilots wings that once had a back background and below that is a matching leather name patch that also has the remains of a black background with silver painted letters that read D.L. ZEILER.
The epaulets show leather lieutenant bars that were once painted.
Interior of the jacket still retains the original lining with Rough Wear Clothing Co tag. The jacket is in very good original condition with a function original TALON zipper, two front pouch buttoned pockets, and knit waist and cuffs. The cuffs and waist appear to be period correct replacements.
Offered in very good to fine condition with expected wear to the inner collar area, this is an incredible jacket from U.S. bomber pilot that received Distinguished Flying Cross!
Through the 457 bomb squadron site we were able to find wartime photos of Lt. Zeiler and his crew. One group shot in front of the plane lists the crew as follows: Donald L. Zeiler, Sidney A. Bacon, Hiram M. Drache, William C. Oliver, Samuel J. Gelvin, Dominic F. Muscato, Donald A. Swisher, Stanley R. Patterson, James J. Rodel.
