US WWI Navy Pilot, Aviation Service Coat, Lieutenant
This item is listed for historical interest only. It was listed on our site previously but has been sold and is no longer available for purchase.
Sold for: $950.00

Original era manufacture. Green worsted wool coat in about a size 38 regular. Four pocket, high collar, with US Navy officer pattern buttons throughout. Black wool Lieutenant shoulder rank sewn directly to each shoulder, with a gold wire embroidered wing on black wool over the left upper pocket. On the lower left sleeve are two gold wire chevrons on black wool indicating one year overseas. Full olive wool body lining with a tailor's tag in the collar from A. Shuman of Boston. Gold embroidered letter C sewn to the left side lining. There are some moth bites on the exterior of the coat, most to be found on the lower front pocket areas, with some substantial mothing to the bottom right pocket gusset, and corner front. These are nearly invisible when displayed. There are some similar, but much less substantial, mothing on the bottom of the lower left side pocket gusset. After America's entry into WWI, US Naval Aviation personnel were some of the first American units to reach France in 1917. The tiny pre-war Naval Aviation establishment greatly expanded during the war, operating out of 27 bases in Europe, two in Canada, one in the Canal Zone, and 12 in the USA, with over 37,000 personnel in service. Of this total, 18,000 officers and men served overseas. Total air fleet, 2,107 aircraft, 15 air ships, and 215 tethered balloons.