WWII USAAF Officer's Khaki Crusher Cap Identified to Lt. William D. Newlon (Size 7)

Description

This original WWII U.S. Army Air Force officer's crusher cap is identified to Lieutenant William D. Newlon. View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding Lt. Newlon's life and military service. This cap is constructed of a summer weight khaki cotton and features a russet brown leather chinstrap and "crushable" visor. Secured inside the cap's headliner is Lt. Newlon's original calling card. When first acquired, this cap was missing its officer's device; given Lt. Newlon's service in the Pacific Theater of Operations (more below), we sourced a faithful replacement manufactured by K.G. Luke of Melbourne, Australia. The cap's interior is marked size 7; however, no manufacturer's marking could be located. This is actually one of two caps available originally belonging to Lt. Newlon, the other being a highly desirable "Flighter" by Bancroft Cap Co. The last image is provided compliments of Lt. Newlon's son, and appears to show Lt. Newlon wearing the same crusher cap. It is an incredibly rare opportunity to own an identified item, with a wartime photograph of that specific item actually being used.

Provenance

Private Collection, Reno, Nevada

Condition Report

This cap is in good, used condition, however the stitching on its visor has slightly come undone, resulting in minor separation of the leather layers and the khaki material exhibits some moth holes.

Veteran's Information

William Delwyn Newlon was born on February 12, 1920, in Montana. On December 22, 1941, just a couple weeks after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Newlon enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Missoula, Montana. He served in the 42nd Bombardment Group, 13th Air Force in the South Pacific as the pilot of the B-25 Thor, God of Thunder! On June 1, 1944, he was awarded the Air Medal with Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster "after completing 21 combat missions, dropping 45-tons of explosives over Jap-infested territory" (Dillon Daily Tribune, July 11, 1944). Newlon survived the war, and eventually achieved the rank of captain. Newlon died on July 23, 1985, at the age of 65 and is buried at Missoula Cemetery. Made available to the new owner below are Newlon's enlistment records from the National Archives, newspaper clippings from the aforementioned article, his draft registration card, additional photographs from his son, and gravesite.

• Enlistment Records
• Newspaper Clippings, Draft Registration Card & Photographs
• Gravesite