Ever "Ike" a dress jacket?

[Lone_Ranger]

I'd like to find an old PSP gray Ike coat. They phased them out sometime in the late 80's, or early 90's.

As a side note. Going back to WWII, I take it the Ike coat, wasn't worn with the Sam Browne, and shoulder strap? I would think the coat would ride up, and out from underneath the belt every time you raised your arms.

Which I guess they found use for police uniforms after the war, because they were short enough that they could be worn with the Sam Brown attached to the trouser belt.

 

[B-24J]

Dad's "Battle Jacket" from a regulation Blouse

Here are some photos of my Dad's 1944 "Battle Jacket". The Italian tailor did a lot of work.

It was cut from a standard four pocket blouse. The non functional straps on the sleeves and the belt were cut from the blouse's regulation belt. The buttons on the sleeves were from the lower pockets of the blouse. The pocket flaps have snaps on the corners.

The back is pleated on both sides and note the detail across the upper back.

The interior shows the buttons used to back and secure the front main buttons. The hooks and loops secure the closure of the jacket at the waist - the "belt" is more for show. The two hooks at the bottom of the jacket go under the trouser belt to prevent the shirt from popping out. I tried my Dad's jacket on when I was fourteen (too small now) and remember the belt hooks did not overly pull the jacket down when sitting.

The embroidery on the shoulders are for the 98th Bomb Group (H) and reads "Force for Freedom". They were embroidered on an OD patch of material before being sewn on the epaulettes.

The right and left upper/shoulder sleeves are for the 15th Air Force. Hand done by the locals. The silver thread rather tarnished with age.

Two photos of my Dad wearing the jacket. The first is "Showing off my Battle Jacket" when it was new. And the second a portrait when he was home, but not yet out of the service. Note to boot in this photo - wish I knew what happened to them! The second photo also shows a shoulder cord of some type which I do not recall ever seeing in person. In a color painting done from the photo, the cord is a medium green.

John

 

[Tiller]

Here are some photos of my Dad's 1944 "Battle Jacket".

Wow! Thank you for sharing John that is just awesome! I think I'm going to break down this summer and find an Ike jacket for myself. I just love the look of them. It's a shame that the Air Force canceled the Hap Arnold heritage coat.

 

[kampkatz]

Thanks you very much,B24J , for the outstanding pics. Your Dad was surely of the Greatest Generation. Keep those uniform items. I have been fortunate to have inherited my late father in-law's uniforms also(an engineer assigned to the AAF). Two issue Ike's and two full length. Assorted head covers include two khaki's with the outside ring removed. The OD is fully intact. I would not give them up, unless to a museum eventually.

 

[M Hatman]

Bump to a great thread on Ike jackets!!!!
M