I recently acquired a very well preserved Knopf A2 from a gentleman. It was one of the 10,000 A2s made by S. H. Knopf of Boston in 1942. It has an extremely rare leather patch from the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, which was part of the famous 23rd Fighter Group, 14th AF in the CBI. The jacket is a size 44, which is marked on the pocket tag. The knits are high quality replacements.
When the jacket arrived it had what appeared to be major's rank insignia sewn on the epaulets. In the right pocket I found a set of leather oak leaves and applied them to the rank tabs. They were a perfect fit, indicating that the vet have removed them post War. They are painted silver indicating the rank of Lt Colonel. Beneath the silver top coat is gold paint which suggests they were over painted on promotion from major. Here is a picture of one of the oak leaves, with silver over the original gold paint.
I have done a significant amount of research in an attempt to identify the owner of the A2. The gentleman from whom I purchased it said the rumour was it belonged to a Major Lubner. I have checked out the roster for the 118th. There are six officers who held the rank of major and two of Lt Colonel. For various reasons I have discounted all but one, Major Marvin Lubner who retired from the Air Force post War as a Lt Colonel.
Here's the link to his burial with his rank as Lt Col:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/sumter ... onal81.txt
He subsequently served in the US Air Force in Korea.
Here is a photo of Lubner. His A2 has a wide collar like the Knopf and you can just make out a round patch on the left shoulder, rather than the conventional CBI shield. The stitch holes on the jacket form a similar round pattern.
None of this is conclusive proof that this is Lubner's A2, but on the basis of the evidence he is a strong candidate and I would welcome any additional help from members here.
When serving as a captain with the 76th FS Lubner shot down six Japanese aircraft as a "Vanguard" squadron pilot flying a P-40, "White 115". Promoted to major in 1944, he was commanding officer of the 118th from June 1945 until the end of the War, flying a P-51K “199”. He is credited with flying that last official mission of World War II.
Here are some more pictures of the jacket.
When the jacket arrived it had what appeared to be major's rank insignia sewn on the epaulets. In the right pocket I found a set of leather oak leaves and applied them to the rank tabs. They were a perfect fit, indicating that the vet have removed them post War. They are painted silver indicating the rank of Lt Colonel. Beneath the silver top coat is gold paint which suggests they were over painted on promotion from major. Here is a picture of one of the oak leaves, with silver over the original gold paint.
I have done a significant amount of research in an attempt to identify the owner of the A2. The gentleman from whom I purchased it said the rumour was it belonged to a Major Lubner. I have checked out the roster for the 118th. There are six officers who held the rank of major and two of Lt Colonel. For various reasons I have discounted all but one, Major Marvin Lubner who retired from the Air Force post War as a Lt Colonel.
Here's the link to his burial with his rank as Lt Col:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/sumter ... onal81.txt
He subsequently served in the US Air Force in Korea.
Here is a photo of Lubner. His A2 has a wide collar like the Knopf and you can just make out a round patch on the left shoulder, rather than the conventional CBI shield. The stitch holes on the jacket form a similar round pattern.
None of this is conclusive proof that this is Lubner's A2, but on the basis of the evidence he is a strong candidate and I would welcome any additional help from members here.
When serving as a captain with the 76th FS Lubner shot down six Japanese aircraft as a "Vanguard" squadron pilot flying a P-40, "White 115". Promoted to major in 1944, he was commanding officer of the 118th from June 1945 until the end of the War, flying a P-51K “199”. He is credited with flying that last official mission of World War II.
Here are some more pictures of the jacket.
