Named WWII Marine Corps Aviator Group

An exceptional grouping comprised of the uniforms and the M445A shearling leather flight jacket of Captain Wilfred Findeisen, the co-pilot of the famed “Blue Goose”, a Marine Corps combat operations transport plane in the Pacific Theater.

The group consists of Findeisen’s green service uniform, his dress blue uniform, and his M445A flight jacket, as follows:

– The green service uniform was tailored for Findeisen by Lavigne of Miami. The jacket’s interior pocket label is named to Findeisen and dated September 10 of 1942, as is the tailor label in the trousers. The embroidered monogram of “WF” is also sewn inside of the jacket. The tunic has matching screw back sterling EGAs, by H&H, pin back Captain’s rank bars on the shoulders, an Amico pin back sterling Navy aviator wing, and the large, Navy and Marine Corps style ribbon bar with ribbons for the American Campaign and the Pacific Campaign with three stars. The uniform includes the belted jacket and the trousers. The wool uniform has a few small snags to the fabric and a few very tiny holes, but is still very presentable with no distracting flaws.

– The dress blue uniform was also tailored for Findeisen by Lavigne in Miami and its interior pocket and trouser labels are also named to Findeisen and dated September 10 of 1942. The embroidered monogram of “WF” is again sewn inside of the jacket. The tunic, which is lacking the blue wool belt, has pin back Captain’s rank bars, sterling pin back aviator wings by Hilborn-Hamburger, and matched collar insignia by Gemsco.

Both uniforms remain in excellent condition.

– Findeisen’s M445A leather flight jacket is probably as close to being in “mint” condition as is possible for any such jacket that was actually issued and worn during the Second World War. The leather is supple and in a wonderful state, with only some very minor wear to the leather finish at some of the high points. The shearling sheepskin lining and collar is clean, soft, and completely intact. The Talon zipper is complete and in working order. On the left breast is sewn Findeisen’s leather name tag with wings, designating his rank as Lieutenant. The interior label of the jacket is present, displaying the official designation of the M445A jacket, “Jacket, Winter, Heavy”. The size is stated on the tag as 40 Large.

During World War II Wilfred Findeisen co-piloted “The Blue Goose” during combat operations in the Pacific. An article in the “Marine Corps Chevron” in early 1945 provided its readers with an account of the famed plane in an article entitled
“‘Gypsy’ Marine Transport Finally Makes Stateside”:

“After more than two years in the South Pacific, a gallant Marine has returned the “Blue Goose”, a Douglas transport with an impressive record displayed on her nose. Departing from San Diego in 1942, she led a flight of 12 “Skytrains” over the Pacific to New Caledonia, the operating base for the famed SCAT (South Pacific Combat Air Transport Command). During the critical period of the Solomons Island campaign, the “Blue Goose” became a welcome sight to Guadalcanal Marines as she landed on Henderson Field with cargos of sorely-needed fuel, ammunition and medical supplies. Many a Marine and Navy Seabee owes his life to the pilots and crewmen of the unarmed transport and her sister ships which evacuated the critically wounded, making unescorted flights through enemy infested skies. The “Blue Goose” made operational flights ferrying war materials and military personnel throughout the South Pacific. Painted on the nose of the craft, along with her name and a cartoon, is a list of islands and bases included in the plane’s itinerary. Heading the list is San Diego, then are listed the following: San Francisco, Pearl Harbor, the Fiji group, Palmyra island, the New Hebrides, New Caledonia, Samoa, Society Islands, Australia, New Zealand, Corvallis, Ore., Naval Air Station, Alameda, Cal., and the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Kearney Mesa, San Diego. After a stop at the Marine Air Station, Mojave, Cal., the “Blue Goose” was flown to the Air Station, El Centro, Cal., which will be her future base of operations.”

A photograph that accompanied that article was captioned: “GLOBE TROTTER. After more than two years in the South Pacific, the “Blue Goose”, a Douglas transport plane an impressive record printed on her nose. Her crew, left to right: Capt. Wilfred Findeisen; co-pilot, MTSgt. Charles E. Losey; crew chief, StfSgt. Ralph C. Jones, all are stationed at the Marine Air Station, El Centro, Cal., which will be the future base of operations for the big transport.