Dashing, handsome Capt.
James Parciarelli, long-serving Marine pilot, flew
the F2H Banshee, the preeminent jet photo reconnaissance aircraft of the Korean War (and a
fearsome ground attack platform as well). The Japanese-made embroidery-and-bullion sleeve
patch well illustrates the universal feeling that the many Reservists who were called up
felt about the War and the country: it's a hand giving the bird in a (loving) parody of the 1st
Marine Division insignia! The squadron insignia is another spectacular example of the
artistry of the bullion patches made in Japan during the Conflict. Visible in the
top two shots is a stack of Korean coins attached by a leather thong to the zipper slider. Jacket
condition, as in many pieces in our Collection, is virtually mint. Contractor is A. Pritzker & Sons,
whose military affiliations stretch back at
least to the 1920s -- an early
A-1 is Pritzker-labeled. The
company is also noted for its blue nylon USAF flight jackets in the 1950s.
How inspiring to look back in time to Capt. Parciarelli's All-American heroism
and selflessness from our own age of repellent slobs like Michael Moore and his
bedpan mates the Quislings who seek to undermine our freedoms behind the usual
coward's smokescreen of free speech (freedom to lie, subvert) and mice-like
identification with the oppressor and monster. We apologize for even mentioning
these untouchables in the same paragraph as a Jim Parciarelli.
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