I was doing a play in Chicago in the early 70s. Two of the cast members were William H. Macy and Mike Nussbaum. Macy’s dad, Bill Sr., had flown B-17s in World War II, 306th Bomb Group, 423rd Squadron. Thirty-five missions in Europe, recipient of the Silver Star.
Flight Jackets
Key Takeaways:
- The article recounts the individual stories of three significant jackets—two belonging to WWII veterans (William H. Macy Sr.'s flight jacket and Mike Nussbaum's A-1 jacket) and one to the author—each with a personal history and an unfortunate fate of loss or alteration.
- It explores the distinct culture of general aviation pilots at KSMO, emphasizing an unwritten rule against "dressing the part" (e.g., wearing flight suits or jackets) and promoting understated, precise communication over any perceived affectation.
- The author makes several linguistic observations related to aviation, including the FAA's use of "tree" for "three" and the notable absence of casual swearing among pilots, linking these to clarity, professionalism, or cultural norms.
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