Title
Crackerjack Jumper of Gerald Bowman
Description
A Korean War-Era dress blue wool uniform jumper with a Machinists Mate patch and Engineman Second Class rank. The uniform was made by Jimmie's Naval Ware. The inside of the crackerjack jumper has custom-tailored colored silk stitching on the back and cuff linings. The silk embroidery on the back forms the shape of a sailing ship at sea.
Collection
Gerald Bowman Collection
Context
"I think the bottom line was the four years changed me. I was a different person when I left." --Gerald Bowman
A form of unauthorized personalization, liberty embroidery was applied to the inside of military uniforms, such as the cuffs or neckline. Popular in the United States Asiatic Fleet, embroidery could only be seen when the cuffs were rolled up after the sailors left the ship for “liberty” or shore leave. Popular designs included depictions of dragons, mermaids, dolphins for submariners, and birds for aircraft crewmembers.
A Machinists Mate serving aboard the USS Laffey (DD-724) from 1950 to 1954, Gerald Bowman became part of the newly recommissioned destroyer's crew. Bowman served out three tours in Korea with the Laffey and participated in the blockade of Wonsan Harbor.
A form of unauthorized personalization, liberty embroidery was applied to the inside of military uniforms, such as the cuffs or neckline. Popular in the United States Asiatic Fleet, embroidery could only be seen when the cuffs were rolled up after the sailors left the ship for “liberty” or shore leave. Popular designs included depictions of dragons, mermaids, dolphins for submariners, and birds for aircraft crewmembers.
A Machinists Mate serving aboard the USS Laffey (DD-724) from 1950 to 1954, Gerald Bowman became part of the newly recommissioned destroyer's crew. Bowman served out three tours in Korea with the Laffey and participated in the blockade of Wonsan Harbor.
Accession #
2013.0078
