WW2 USAAF B-17 Pilot Officer 8th Air Force Uniform Grouping/Diary D-Day 1944 For Sale

WWII USAAF Officer's Uniform Grouping, Physically Identified to 1st Lt. Richard E. "Dick" Long, B-17 Pilot, 8th Air Force — Flew D-Day, June 6, 1944

This is a researched and documented WWII US Army Air Forces officer's grouping from the estate of Richard E. "Dick" Long, a B-17 Flying Fortress pilot who flew 32 combat missions over occupied France and Germany with the Eighth Air Force between April and August 1944 — including a mission flown on D-Day itself, June 6, 1944. His aircraft was named "Slow But Sure."

Documentation —Included is the June 1–2, 2002 Aspen Times Weekly cover story, "The Combat Diary of Richard Long," a full published feature reproducing his day-by-day mission diary alongside his wartime portrait and a photo of his crew in front of "Slow But Sure." The article independently confirms his name, rank, aircraft, unit, and mission history — this is not family lore, it's a professionally researched and printed historical record. Also included: his obituary and several medals.

The uniform — physically marked to him

• Officer's two-piece O.D. dark elastique service coat (size 36 Long), original Quartermaster contract tag dated Dec. 1, 1942 (Cont. No. W669-QM-23779, Phila. Q.M. Depot). Faded ink initials "REL"for "Richard E. Long"are present on the interior tag.
• Matching garrison cap, marked "-Long-" on the interior sweatband.
• Eighth Air Force shoulder insignia on right shoulder, USAAF shoulder insignia on left shoulder.

Two independently marked pieces bearing his name/initials is unusual for a grouping this size and gives this lot a level of physical attribution most "named" militaria listings can't back up.

Insignia and medals

• Expert rifleman qualification pin for M1 Rifle (period-correct pin from the same estate; this piece is unmarked, as is standard for this insignia type, so it's included as a matching accessory rather than individually attributed) Please note that this pin is missing a peg. It has only one peg and fastener. See pictures for details.
• Bronze "U.S." collar insignia (period-correct branch insignia from the same estate; this piece is unmarked, as is standard for this insignia type, so it's included as a matching accessory rather than individually attributed)
• WWII homefront "Freedom from Fear and Want" pin: Four Freedoms war bond campaign button (period-correct medal from the same estate; this piece is unmarked, as is standard for this insignia type, so it's included as a matching accessory rather than individually attributed)
• One skiing competition pin, and one football competition pin from his later years in Aspen, CO — a nice thread connecting his wartime service to his postwar life in the Aspen community: Aspen Winterskol, and Aspen Rooster.

Condition: Near Mint. The jacket and hat are near flawless, and were meticulously maintained; they were stored in a dry, cool space. There are very slight signs of wear, but NO damage to the stiching, weave, etc. The only flaw is the right side lower button on the jacket is missing its top. See pictures for details. Leather is still supple and smooth, tags are legible and clean. Mr. Long's handwriting on the jacket is faded, but still clearly visible and legible. Mr. Long's handwriting on the hat is clear.

Provenance note:This uniform is not accompanied by a formal chain-of-custody document, but is physically marked with the veteran's initials and surname on two separate garments, and is offered together with his estate's original documentation (obituary, period magazine, and the published 2002 newspaper feature naming him). Buyers are welcome to review high-resolution photos of all identifying marks before offerding/purchasing.

Mr. Long was a friend of my family in Aspen. It's time his war accoutrements find a good home with a collector. Everything in the photos is included. Nothing more, nothing less. Please do not hesitate to ask questions, but before you ask... yes, his name really was "Dick Long"! I am partial to offers, but am in no hurry to sell.