United States Air Force dress blue jacket, trousers, and oversea cap named to Vietnam command pilot Major General Jack W. Sheppard of the 21st Air Force. Sheppard had a prolific and decorated career spanning over 33 years entailing 7000 flight hours and over 300 combat missions. Sheppard began his military career in 1955 following the Korean War completing basic pilot training in Reese Air Force Base, Texas. From 1956 to 1961 Sheppard was stationed at McClellan Air Force Base, flying 4000 hours in RC-121s completing squadron officers school and returning as an instructor thereafter. Sheppard spent several years completing Command and Staff College before being training on Douglas AC-47 gunships in August 1965. In October of 1965 Sheppard was deployed to Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam with the 1st Air Commando Squadron and later the 4th Air Commando Squadron flying a total of 302 combat missions. From there Sheppard undertook many command roles including Commander of the 76th Military Airlift, Deputy Commander of Operations for the 437th Military Airlift, Vice Commander of the 60th Military Airlift Wing, Commander of the 1606th Air Base Wing, Military Airlift Command Chief of Staff and Commander of the 21st Air Force. Overall Sheppard was a command pilot with a highly decorated and proven record of flying in combat and leading those in the sky making this uniform one of a kind for any aviation enthusiast.
The uniform as a whole is in great condition with good color and no major holes or tears present. The jacket itself is in great condition with some staining present along the left sleeve. The oversea cap does have some leather stiffening to the inner liner and the general stars do have some signs of oxidation or tarnish. The trousers themselves are in great condition with no notable defects. Sheppard was promoted to Major General in 1985 which is approximately when this uniform would be dated.