WWII USAAF Officer's Khaki "Flighter" Crusher Cap by Bancroft Cap Co. Identified to Lt. Kenneth A. Milette (Size 6 3/4)

Description

This is an original WWII U.S. Army Air Force officer's "Flighter" crusher cap manufactured by Bancroft Cap Co. of Framingham, Massachusetts. It is inscribed with its original owner's name and serial number, "MILETTE, O-2070684". View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding Lt. Kenneth A. Milette'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. Its headband is marked “BY BANCROFT, Visor Pat. Pend.”, which denotes production from May 12, 1943, to February 13, 1945, before which Flighters were simply labeled "BY BANCROFT" and after which they were also marked "U.S.PAT.NO.2369275". With its circular headliner emblem, this cap was likely produced towards the end of that timeframe. The visor's underside is stenciled with Lt. Milette's initials, "K.M.", while the headband is marked "MILETTE". 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 3/4.

Provenance

Private Collection, Pennsburg, Pennsylvania

Condition Report

This cap is in good, used condition; however, some stitching has failed, and the khaki material exhibits moth holes and stains. When first acquired, its chinstrap was unfortunately torn and subsequently "repaired" by a collector. We have since replaced it with an original example. The damaged piece will be included should the new owner decide to return it to its prior state.

Veteran's Information

Kenneth Arthur Milette was born on March 2, 1924, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. On October 28, 1942, Milette was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in Los Angeles, California, but received a deferment until June 1944. Later that year, Milette graduated pilot school basic as a member of class 44-H at Goodfellow Field in San Angelo, Texas. Upon receiving his officer commission, he served in the 4th Ferrying Group of the 554th Army Air Forces Base Unit, piloting newly completed aircraft from Vultee Aircraft factory in Nashville, Tennessee and the Curtiss-Wright Corporation factory in St. Louis, Missouri to weapons modification centers throughout the U.S. Milette was awarded the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal before being honorably discharged on November 29, 1945. Made available to the new owner below are Milette's enlistment records from the National Archives, his draft registration card, class 44-H's yearbook (in which he appears on page 43), final pay stub, and discharge documents.

• Enlistment Records
• Draft Registration Card, Class 44-H Yearbook, Final Pay Stub, & Discharge Documents