United States Army Air Forces - Thirteenth Air Force Australian Made Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
Pima Air and Space Museum
United States Army Air Forces
Thirteenth Air Force
Australian Made Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
The 13th Air Force was activated January 18, 1943 in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. The 13th Air Force units saw heavy combat in the Battle for Guadalcanal, the Allies' first offensive operation. The 13th Air Force also took part in the various invasions of the Solomon Islands. The 13th Air Force was crucial in shattering and isolating the major Japanese naval bases at Rabaul and Truk. As the South Pacific campaign wrapped up the 13th Air Force joined the 5th Air Force in the South West Pacific and engaged in operations around New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Philippines.
Many US enlisted service members assigned to the South and South West Pacific were issued or bought Australian made battledress uniforms. The uniforms were used by enlisted personnel as a standard service dress uniform. The uniform is similar to the Australian Army battledress uniform with one major difference, the American version has a buttoned waistband instead of buckled. This uniform was worn by an unknown aerial gunner with the rank of technical sergeant.
United States Army Air Forces - Thirteenth Air Force Australian Made Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
Pima Air and Space Museum
United States Army Air Forces
Thirteenth Air Force
Australian Made Enlisted Service Dress Uniform
The 13th Air Force was activated January 18, 1943 in the South Pacific Theater of Operations. The 13th Air Force units saw heavy combat in the Battle for Guadalcanal, the Allies' first offensive operation. The 13th Air Force also took part in the various invasions of the Solomon Islands. The 13th Air Force was crucial in shattering and isolating the major Japanese naval bases at Rabaul and Truk. As the South Pacific campaign wrapped up the 13th Air Force joined the 5th Air Force in the South West Pacific and engaged in operations around New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and the Philippines.
Many US enlisted service members assigned to the South and South West Pacific were issued or bought Australian made battledress uniforms. The uniforms were used by enlisted personnel as a standard service dress uniform. The uniform is similar to the Australian Army battledress uniform with one major difference, the American version has a buttoned waistband instead of buckled. This uniform was worn by an unknown aerial gunner with the rank of technical sergeant.