WWII 8th AIR FORCE B-17 Officer Irving Bant DFC 381st BS Footlocker Uniform Cap. For Sale

This is an exceptional named World War II, United States Army Air Force officer grouping belonging to first Lieutenant Irving M Bant , a B-17 combat officer was served with with the 535th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group, 8 th Air Force, England in 1944. This is not an assembled grouping. The uniform, officers, cap and Footlocker, and all the associated materials have remained together and are attributed to the same service man. Everything is being offered in original un-restored condition. Foot locker shows substantial age where scratches, oxidation, staining, and deterioration consistent with an approximately 80 year-old military footlocker. The surviving paper labels are extremely fragile and should be handled as little as possible. The uniform and cap show age and storage were consistent with original World War II material. Please examine all photographs carefully as they are an important part of the condition description. Research into Mr. Irving M Bants war time Service has established that he served as a B -17 Flying Fortress combat officer with a 535th Bomb Squadron, 381st Bomb Group. He arrived with the combat crew of pilot Crawford T Marbury on July 19, 1944 serving is copilot. His wartime record includes documented air metal awards during July and August 1944 followed by promotion to first Lieutenant on September 13, 1944. Most significantly he was awarded the. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS , ANNOUNCED IN GENERAL ORDER NUMBER 485 DATED NOVEMBER 2, 1944. THIS IS GIVEN FOR HEROISM AND EXTRAORDINARY ACHIEVEMENT. HE FLEW AND THE PILOTED 25 MISSIONS AT MINIMUM. HISTORY ASSOCIATES HIM WITH A B-17 REMEMBERED AS THE FLYING FEATHER MERCHANT AND THE FLYING FEATHER MERCHANT TWO. INCLUDED IN THIS SALE IS THE ORIGINAL WORLD WAR II OFFICERS UNIFORM, AND OFFICER SERVICE CAP WORN BY LIEUTENANT IRVING M BANT. HIS NAMED MILITARY, FOOTLOCKER, SURVIVING WARTIME, IDENTIFICATION, TRANSPORT LABELS, AND MARKINGS. THE UNIFORM CONTAINS HIS INITIALS IMB. ONE PARTICULAR INTEREST IS THE SURVIVING. LABEL PLACARD ON THE FOOT LOCKER ALTHOUGH IT’S EXTREMELY FRAGILE FROM AGE ENOUGH REMAINS VISIBLE TO ESTABLISH ITS WORLD WAR II ERA USE INCLUDING THE 1944 DATE. THE GROUPING CAME FROM HIS FAMILY AND INFORMATION REGARDING HIS COMBAT SERVICE AND AIRCRAFT ASSOCIATION WAS PROVIDED BY HIS NEPHEW FAMILY HISTORY. CONSIDERABLE ADDITIONAL HISTORICAL RESEARCH HAS SUBSEQUENTLY BEEN PERFORMED USING SURVIVING WARTIME RECORDS. THE ENTIRE GROUPING IS BEING SOLD TOGETHER AND WILL REMAIN TOGETHER AS A SURVIVING WARTIME COLLECTION OF LIEUTENANT IRVING MBANT. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS AND PLEASE VIEW PICTURES. THIS COLLECTION WOULD BE A GREAT ADDITION TO ANY MILITARY OR WORLD WAR II COLLECTORS COLLECTION. IT IS EXCELLENT PROVENANCE. EVERYTHING IS GETTING BEAUTIFUL CONDITION CONSIDERING IT’S BEEN IN STORAGE FOR 80+ YEARS. AGAINST PLEASE SEE PICTURES AND FEEL FREE TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.