Overview: This air force ensemble consists of a suit jacket, pants, tie, button up shirt, and cap.
Construction: The jacket of this suit is dark blue. The lapel of the jacket is triangular, and comes to a point immediately before it meets the collar, which creates two triangles. A silver pinned reading "U.S" is attached to the collar's right tip. The jacket closes left over right through the use of four silver buttons 7/8 inches wide that are placed approximately 2 inches apart. Each button is stamped with the seal of the US Air Force. The face of the jacket has four pockets: one on each breast and another 4 1/4 inches below. Both pairs of pockets close with a small silver button emblazoned with the US Air Force seal, measuring 1/2 inch wide. The top pair of pockets measure 5 5/8 inches wide and 7 inches tall. They each have a flap with a central point and rounded edges as well as a central pleat. Attached to the left breast pocket's pleat is a silver pin in the form of a silver rocket ringed by five stars. The bottom pair of pockets has a flat flap and no pleat, and measure 8 inches wide and 10 1/2 inches tall. These pockets are so wide they wrap around the sides of the jacket. Another pin is placed 2 1/2 inches above the left breast pocket; it features a striped shield with broad wings. A band of fabric is sewn into both shoulders of the jacket, measuring 2 inches wide. The top of each band has a button hole and silver button, whereas the bottom of each band has a pin in the form of a silver seven-pointed leaf. The interior of the jacket is lined with a glossy silk faille and contains an interior right breast pocket. 3 inches above each sleeve's cuff, a 1/2 inch band of dark blue cording is stitched.
The suit's pants are made of an identical dark blue wool, but are lined with a cream cotton. The seams of the pants are stitched with white thread, which visibly runs along the waistband, pockets, and belt loops. The waistband closes with an two buttons (one exterior, one interior) and a zipper that runs to the inseam and measures 11 inches long. A pair of long pockets are sewn astride the front of the pants, and a pair of smaller, vertical pockets are sewn on either side of the rear. These back pockets close with a small blue button. Long pleats run the length of each leg at their front.
The suit's tie is made of a dark blue cotton. It has a pointed tip and is 2 inches at its widest and 7/8 inches at its narrowest around the collar. It is made of a single piece of fabric that has been folded over a piece of cotton and sewn shut.
The attached shirt is a pale blue polyester/cotton blend. It is a size 16 33. There is a single breast pocket on the left side, measuring 3 1/2 inches wide. It closes with the use of six tortoiseshell buttons. Each sleeve's cuff closes with an identical button.
The associated cap is made of heavy blue wool, with leather supporting. The crown of the cap is 10 inches wide and circular. The front of the crown has an ornate pin representing the US seal. It juts upwards, and is supported by a 1 inch wide band of dark blue corded wool identical to the cuffs of the jacket. A black leather strap runs the length at the bottom of the cording. The top of the visor is black felt embroidered with silver clouds and lightning. The bottom of the visor is gray leather. A band of brown leather runs the circumference of the interior of the band. The interior of the crown is a glossy gray polyester.
There is also an accompanying day cap. It is a folded, dark blue hat measuring 10 1/2 inches wide and 5 inches tall. A brown leather band rims the interior of the opening. Silver and black trim runs around the edges of the triangular folds. A seven pointed silver leaf pin is attached to the front left of the cap. The interior is lined with a silver polyester.
Provenance: This donation by Frank Church as part of a full set of Air Force uniforms which were worn by his father, Lt. Col. Frank C. Church (retired USAF). Associated tags on each piece of the ensemble have his name.
