WWII USAAF Officer's Khaki "Flighter" Crusher Cap by Bancroft Cap Co. Identified to Lt. James F. Clifford (Size 6 5/8)

Description

This is an original WWII U.S. Army Air Force officer's "Flighter" crusher cap manufactured by Bancroft Cap Co. of Framingham, Massachusetts. The headband's underside is inscribed with its original owner's rank, initials and name, "LT. J. F. CLIFFORD". View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding Lieutenant James F. Clifford's life and military service. This cap is constructed of a summer weight khaki cotton and features a russet brown leather chinstrap and single ply "crushable" visor. It is of particularly early manufacture, as indicated by the lack of a headliner emblem and no gold leaf in the embossed "Flighter" marking, with just "BY BANCROFT" beneath it. This style of marking predates Bancroft's May 12, 1943, patent application, after which it began labeling Flighters with “BY BANCROFT, Visor Pat. Pend.” The cap's front is decorated with a gold-plated brass oversized officer's device. Unfortunately, no size tag could be located; however, it has been measured and is a confirmed size 6 5/8.

Provenance

Private Collection, Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania

Condition Report

This cap is in fair, well used condition. The khaki material exhibits small tears, mostly concentrated in the crease where it blouses over the outer band. The leather visor is slightly cracked - likely from the veteran folding it in half. The headliner has stiffened and deteriorated, and its brass components show signs of verdigris beneath the worn gold finish.

Veteran's Information

James Fischer Clifford was born on October 5, 1918, in Atlanta, Georgia. On August 15, 1941, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1943, Fischer graduated pilot school advanced (single engine) as a member of classes 43-G and 43-H at Eagle Pass Army Airfield in Eagle Pass, Texas. Upon receiving his officer commission, he served as a bomber pilot in the 8th Air Force. He was awarded the Air Medal with three Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Interestingly, he appears to have been promoted from second to first lieutenant between these two awards; when he received his third Oak Leaf Cluster on April 2, 1944, he was still listed as a second lieutenant, but when he received his Distinguished Flying Cross the following month on May 1, 1944, he was listed as a first lieutenant. After completing his bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe, Clifford returned to the United States where he trained West Point graduates to fly the Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. Clifford survived the war and died on December 27, 2005, at the age of 87 and is buried at Westover Memorial Park in Augusta, Georgia. Made available to the new owner below are Clifford's enlistment records from the National Archives, draft registration, Air Medal and Distinguished Flying Cross award cards, newspaper clippings documenting his time at Eagle Pass Army Airfield, as well as his obituary and gravesite. At Gustafson's request, the National Archives is currently processing Clifford's complete file, which will be made available below when completed.

• Enlistment Records
• Draft Registration, Air Medal & Distinguished Flying Cross Award Cards, & Newspaper Clippings
• Obituary & Gravesite
  
• FOIA Research Results (Coming Soon)