2200 FINE WW2 PAINTED A-2 FLIGHT JACKET, LT DALE

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This item SOLD at 2026 Aug 06 @ 12:52UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT
Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
METZINGER, 8TH AIR FORCE. Lt. Dale J. Metzinger flew 33 combat missions as pilot of a B-17 between July & December 1944 over Germany in 3 different planes but with the same crew known as the "REICH RECKERS" as painted on jacket with B-17 and 29 bombs below. After WWII, Metzinger remained in service and retired from USAF in 1970 with long distinguished Air Force career and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In addition to 33 WWII combat missions he piloted one of the B-17s dropping supplies to the entrapped Polish Resistance during the September 1944 "Warsaw Uprising". Metzinger piloted food & fuel during Berlin Airlift 1947-1948. Dale was White House Aide to President Eisenhower & Truman. He flew B-47s postwar with Strategic Air Command. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: large binder of research, detailing his 33 missions, copies of photographs, copies of confidential orders, maps etc. CONDITION: jacket is very good overall, all original with no restoration, complete, makers label & liner, painted decoration is very good, leather name label is good, cuffs and waist band have some reductions but much better than most survivors. (02-26313/JS). NON-GUN. $3,000-5,000.