WWII USAAF Officer's Khaki Crusher Cap by Dobbs Fifth Avenue Identified to Lt. Harry G. Ladanye (Size 7 1/4)

Description

This original WWII U.S. Army Air Force officer's crusher cap was manufactured by Dobbs Fifth Avenue of New York, New York. It is identified to Lieutenant Harry G. Ladanye. View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding Lt. Ladanye's life and military service. This cap is constructed of a summer weight khaki cotton and features a russet brown leather chinstrap and "crushable" single-ply visor. The front is emblazoned with a gold-plated brass standard-sized officer's device. Secured inside the cap's headliner is Lt. Ladanye's original calling card. Beneath the headband is a size tag of 7 1/4. The last image is provided compliments of Warfare History Network, and shows Lt. Ladanye (back row, third from left), along with other crewmembers of the B-17 Deuces Wild, wearing his gabardine wool crusher cap (January 1944, McDill Field, Tampa, Florida).

Provenance

Private Collection, Panama City, Florida

Condition Report

This cap is in fair condition. Unfortunately, the headband's stitching has come undone by the wearer's forehead and the khaki material exhibits some moth holes.

Veteran's Information

Harry Gabriel Ladanye was born on March 21, 1918, in Carteret, New Jersey. Ladanye enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he served for three years as a navigator in the 728th Bombardment Squadron, 452nd Bombardment Group, 8th Air Force, based at Deopham Green Airfield in England and Wales. He flew 28 combat missions and was awarded the Air Medal with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. Ladanye survived the war and was honorably discharged in 1945 at the rank of first lieutenant. Ladanye died on May 17, 2005, at the age of 87 and is buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester, New Jersey. Made available to the new owner below are Ladanye's obituary and gravesite. After the war, Ladanye continued to correspond with waist gunner John P. Chopelas, who then donated all of his records to the University of Central Arkansas. At Gustafson's request, the UCA archivists digitized Ladanye's primary records, correspondence, and photographs, and those are also made available below.

• Obituary
• Gravesite
  
• UCA Archive Records