Before becoming hip fashion items, flight jackets were worn by pilots and crew as they maintained, operated, and flew military aircraft in times of both war and peace. Edward Bina donated this classic jacket to EAA after spending 36 years in the U.S. Air Force and more than 22,000 hours in the air, many of which were spent in B-25s. Edward flew missions during World War II from bases in the Philippines and what is now known as Indonesia. As indicated on the back of the jacket, Edward was part of the 345th Bombardment Group and the 501st Bomb Squadron. The Air Apaches, as members of the 345th were known, flew from 1942 until 1945 before being inactivated until the Korean War began. Edward was active in and served as president of the 345th Bomb Group Association after his retirement as a colonel in the Air Force.
This story originally appeared in EAA’s membership magazine, EAA Sport Aviation, in March 2018. To learn more about some of the fascinating artifacts in EAA’s attic, become an EAA member and receive a free magazine subscription.