HISTORY. One of the least known parts of WW2 is the Battle of the Aleutian Islands (June 1942-August 1943). The Japanese established a garrison on the islands of Attu and Kiska, to try to divert U.S. forces during Japan’s attack on Midway Island (June 4-7, 1942). The Japanese occupation was a blow to American morale and in May 1943, U.S. troops retook Attu and three months later reclaimed Kiska.

The 54^th Fighter Squadron was activated in 5 Jan 1941 at Hamilton Field, California as a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk pursuit unit as part of the defense buildup of the United States prior to WW2. Deployed to Alaska in mid-1942 and engaged the Japanese during the Aleutian Campaign flying long-range Lockheed P-38 Lightings. They remained in Alaska after the removal of Japanese forces, flying long range escorts for B-24 Liberator bombing attacks of northern Japanese Kurile Islands.

Standard USAAF WW2 A-2 brown leather flight jacket. With an 11th Air Force patch (Pacific Air Force) and the Aleutian Island & the 54th Fighter Squadron patches being some of the rarest in WW2. Jacket shows light to moderate wear (see photos). However, overall it is an amazingly good condition. When I received the jacket, the leather was slightly dry, so I treated it with Pecard Antique Leather Dressing, which will keep the leather treated for years to come. Great piece of history!

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