LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 MAR Grand Format Air & Space Sale #6000  / 

58229

Doolittle Tokyo Raider Jacob DeShazer Archive

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Militaria Start Price:1,600.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Doolittle Tokyo Raider Jacob DeShazer Archive
<B>Doolittle Tokyo Raider Jacob DeShazer Uniform, Medals and Archive.</B></I> Jacob DeShazer enlisted in the United States Army Air Force in 1940, and rose to the rank of sergeant in 1941. On December 7, 1941, while on KP duty at a U.S. Army base in Oregon, DeShazer heard news of the attack on Pearl Harbor over the radio. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, Staff Sergeant DeShazer, along with other members of the 17th Bomb Group, volunteered to join a special unit that was formed to attack Japan. Twenty-four crews were selected from the 17th BG to receive three weeks of intensive training in carrier take offs, night flying, over water navigation, and low level bombing. The crews were equipped with twin-engined B-25 Mitchell medium bombers, a land-based bomber never intended to take off from the deck of a carrier. Their mission would be to fly a carrier-based attack on the Japanese mainland, taking the fight to the enemy for the first time. The unit formed to carry out the raid on Japan soon acquired the name, "Doolittle's Raiders" after their famous commander, Lieutenant Colonel James H. "Jimmy" Doolittle. DeShazer was the bombardier of the <I>"Bat (Out of Hell)"</B></I>, commanded by Lt. William G. Farrow, the last of the sixteen B-25s to launch from the USS <I>Hornet</B></I>. The crew managed to successfully bomb oil storage tanks and an aircraft factory despite enemy fighter attacks, then headed on to China. Due to low fuel, Lieutenant Farrow instructed his crew to bail out even though he knew they were close to an enemy-held city. The entire crew survived the bail out and were quickly caught and imprisoned by the Japanese. After the war DeShazer was awarded the Purple Heart and a Distinguished Flying Cross for his part in the Doolittle Raid. While a prisoner of war and despite harsh treatment by his captors, Jacob DeShazer resolved to become a devout Christian. After the war he lived his faith and spent thirty years as a missionary in Japan.<BR><BR>This historic lot includes DeShazer's olive wool Class A service jacket with bullion on felt winged-star patch on the left sleeve and a cotton CBI patch with bullion applied to the sun and star on the right sleeve. Six service stripes (one stripe for each six month period in service) are applied to the lower left sleeve. DeShazer's cotton on wool staff sergeant rank insignia is on each sleeve. The quartermaster nomenclature tag sewn inside near the neck has faded almost completely thus making it impossible to ascertain size and date of manufacture. There are a few small moth holes on the sleeves and back, else the jacket is complete and in very good condition. Pinned to the tunic are DeShazer's unnamed Distinguished Flying Cross (slot broach), unnamed Purple Heart (slot broach) with case, and unnamed Good Conduct Medal (slot broach). Also present are his ribbon bars for awards including his Purple Heart, Distinguished Flying Cross, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with star and American Campaign medal. A 3" pin-back Bombardier Wing is pinned to the uniform. While the wing isn't maker marked it is marked "Sterling" in raised letters. There is a repair to one post on the reverse of the wings. De Shazer's badly mothed overseas cap is included with the uniform. A one page autograph letter of provenance dated September 25, 1999 reads in full: "<I>To who it may concern, This certifies that the WWII US Army Class A uniform held by [name withheld] of [place withheld] was used by myself after release from POW status. It is complete with patches, wings, ribbons, and medals. Sincerely, Jacob DeShazer</B></I>". <BR><BR>The archive consists of two rather recent color photos of DeShazer holding the uniform on offer as well as a wartime photograph of himself in the uniform. A 7" x 10" copy of the photo and signed by DeShazer: "<I>Love never fails/ Jacob DeShazer/ Bombardier crew #16</B></I>" provides a good link to the uniform. Photostat copies of DeShazer's Honorable Discharge document and Army Separation Qualification Record are also included. Copies of several articles concerning Jacob's wartime experiences as well as his post war missionary work, and a sketch by Milton Caniff of Jimmy Doolittle and signed "<I>J. H. Doolittle</B></I>" round out the lot. Doolittle's raid on Japan caused little material damage but raised the moral of a nation deeply shocked by the attack on Pearl Harbor and the feeling of helplessness that followed. This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of that legendary mission.<BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Clothing, Costumes & Jerseys (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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