Dwight Eisenhower ' s World War II Leather Jacket A War Relic Of Historical Significance

Dwight Eisenhower is generally referred to tidily as the 34th Honcho of the United States, but historically language he was indeed the key military strategist in successfully leading and managing the Allied Forces to victory in World War II, especially for carrying out the Allied assault on the coast of Normandy, one era following the D - Day invasion in June of 1944. Although many leaders played crucial roles in the ultimate outcome of the war, some would say that unredeemed Ike, victory would not have come as soon as it did, if at all.

During World War II General Dwight D. Eisenhower sometimes wore a leather jacket ( similar to, but not identical to, a bomber jacket or flight jacket ) while living at Telegraph Cottage, 15 miles south of London. This house was the location of his headquarters during World War II while in command of the Allied forces. This rare, historic, World War II relic has been located and acquired by a private collector in the U. S.

Made of genuine leather, the jacket has four bullion stars sown onto the shoulder, which mark the General ' s rank at the time. While he was a Four - Star General for 17 months during the War, for the final 7 months he was a Five - Star General. At that time the leather jacket went into the hands of the General ' s valet, Sgt. John Moaney. There is no evidence, either as of this writing or the Sargent ' s recollection, that it was ever replaced with a Five - Star Leather Jacket for the final 7 months of the War.

Later it was learned that this very leather jacket was presented, nearly 30 years ago, to a private collector. Impeccable provenance, in the form of a detailed letter written on white house stationary, attesting to all historic details many years ago. Specifically, this leather jacket came from Sgt. Moaney and his wife Delores, who was also the Eisenhower ' s personal cook. In fact, the Eisenhower ' s were so fond of this couple that following the 8 years they spent together in The White House the Moaney ' s were invited to move to Gettysburg farm, and live near the retirement home of the Eisenhower ' s. This move came to fruition following the inauguration of John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961.

Upon his death in 1969, Ike also bequeathed to Sgt. Moaney his handsome 18 - karat Yellow Gold Datejust ( a rare make by the most famous watch manufacturer in the world today ), as well as a cash gift; an additional token of the President ' s affection. From 1942 until the President ' s death in 1969, he was with Ike almost daily. Years before the President ' s death, Eisenhower authored a book entitled At Ease, in which he thoughtfully described John as indispensable to him during his lifetime.

A Short History Of The Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Always made in the USA and 100 % allegiant every Schott NYC leather or wool jacket comes with a history, a legend spanning 90 age and four generations of Schotts in America. As able-bodied, the time frame spans 22 presidents, two world wars, one King not to mention the passion affair of Americans and the open road. How many have secluded their cares behind and hit the open road in Schott leather... impossible to divulge.

In 1913, as Ford ' s new Model T began to crowd the today bustling streets of New York City, two brothers, the sons of a Russian immigrant, went abutting their piece of the American Dream. Irving and Jack Schott starting making raincoats in a basement on the Lower East Side of Manhattan which were then sold by street peddlers door to door.

Into the mid 1920s, when Al Capone and Babe Ruth were in the news breaking laws and records, the Schott brothers changed the way we dress forever when they were the first to put a zipper on a jacket. This totally changed American fashion, and attire. Glad we are today that the Schott brothers had the thought to utilize a zipper on one of their jackets!

Innovation being the modus operandi of the times the Schott brothers targeted the motorcycle market and the leather jacket. In 1928 Irving Schott produced the first leather motorcycle jacket from his own design. At $5. 50 each and named the " Perfecto " it was an instant success. This rugged and durable leather motorcycle jacket became the symbol of the American fascination with motorcycles and the symbol of freedom and the biker image.

Soon the country would be thrust into a World War and the Schott brother would be commissioned by the US Air Force to produce what became the " bomber jacket " out of leather. The leather was an asset to keep the wind away from our soldiers bodies, and kept them warm at the high altitudes they flew at. Below, on the decks of the ships, servicemen utilized the Schott leather pea coats, and wool pea coats, to keep the chill of the open sea from reaching down to their bones.

With WWII over and the threat of communism put in check by MacArthur in Korea, this country was witnessing the rise of a new rebellion - one that would be fought with fast cars and Rock and Roll. In 1954, the now cult classic " The Wild Ones " featured the hot young actor, Marlon Brando, perched on his motorcycle wearing his Schott Perfecto. The subsequent spike in popularity of the Perfecto surprisingly resulted in decreased sales. The jackets were actually banned by school systems around the country because they symbolized a burgeoning teen demographic, the " hood ".

Over the past 50 years Schott NYC has seen new leadership and continues to grow. Styles and products have changed, and some stayed the same, as materials are modernized, changed and fashion styles have come and gone. Schott accessories abound and are now found worldwide.

Schott continues their motorcycle heritage expanding into sunglasses, bags, nylons and wools at their 100 year old factory in the New York City area.

Four generations of Schott ' s thank you for appreciating our quality leather products and our passion for the motorcycle jacket.

The History Of The Varsity Jacket

Varsity jackets are worn by people who are classified as top performers in a particular sport. Many large school and college students that earn varsity letterman jackets are rewarded because of their soaring levels of performance and contributions to their varsity party. The letterman jacket gets its handle from the letter or knowledge on the estranged breast. They are nearly always the initials of the great school or college that the jacket comes from. The history of the varsity letterman jacket began in 1865 at Harvard. The baseball side at this prestigious school embroidered an old English style H to their plain gray flannel shirts. The squad captains only allowed those players that participated in the most important games of the season to maintain draining the H on their jersey. If they did not participate in the game they had to return their jersey at the end of the season. By 1930 the letters had begun appearing on wool jackets with leather sleeves and the still popular tradition of varsity letterman jackets begun.

You can find customized varsity jackets on almost every high school campus across the nation. These jackets are usually a heavy winter - style jacket. There are a number of things that people get customized on their jackets. You will find different styles but most include the school name, school colors, the year of the pupil ' s graduation, the school mascot, and the letters from the sports they have earned. Often times you will see varsity letterman jackets covered in multiple letters from multiple sports. Custom varsity jackets allow students to express a sense of style while showing pride for both their school and for their athletic accomplishments. Wool varsity jackets have become increasingly popular among students. Wool is a very warm textile and many students love wool varsity jackets for that exact reason; it keeps them nice and warm.

You can expect varsity letterman jackets in a number of sports. When most people think of varsity jackets they think of baseball, football, softball and basketball. While these are the most common sports that give out custom varsity jackets, you can also receive jackets for other sports such as golf, cross country, soccer, tennis and basically any sport that has a varsity level team. Any athlete that receives one of these jackets will feel privileged and honored to express their accomplishments in such a stylish way. Custom varsity jackets distinguish who the top players in a particular sport are and allow those players to show their entire school and anyone who sees the jacket just how worthy they are to be wearing it. Often times the males and females with these custom varsity jackets displaying numerous athletic awards, tend to excel socially and academically as well.