This is an authentic tour jacket worn by a soldier assigned to the United States Sixth
Fleet who participated in "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and "Operation Enduring Freedom" during the early stages of the Iraq War from 2002 to 2003.This particular jacket features an Italian-made "POLIDORO" tag. Given that the Sixth Fleet
primarily operates in the Mediterranean, the use of an Italian-made body is a highly authentic detail.
Its greatest appeal lies in the design, which follows the style of tour jackets from the 1970s and 1980s.
・"OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM" patch
on the chest → A patch symbolizing the Afghanistan campaign
・"OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 'SHOCK AND AWE'" patch
→ A historical term referring to the large-scale airstrike campaign in the early stages of the war
・"UNITED STATES SIXTH FLEET" patch
→ Symbol of the Mediterranean Fleet. This aligns with the jacket being made in Italy.
・“September 11, 2001 / We Will Never Forget”
→ Strongly reflects the era against the backdrop of the 9/11 terrorist attacks
The sleeves feature a row of national flags representing ports of call and operational activities.
Left sleeve: United
Kingdom / Spain / Greece / France
Right sleeve: United
States / New Jersey state flag / Peru
On the back:
"USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75)"
→ The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Truman
Additionally,
SLOVENIA / FRANCE / ENGLAND / GREECE
→ Embroidery indicating actual ports of call and operational range
And in the center, a large patch featuring an eagle
holding the Stars and Stripes takes pride of place.
In terms of construction, the
eagle, flags, and tour details on the back are patches, while the text is embroidered—a luxurious design. This “mix of
patches and embroidery” is a unique charm of tour jackets.
Additionally, since the embroidery does not penetrate the lining, it is possible
that the original lining was removed and the jacket was reconstructed, suggesting traces of on-site customization.
The condition is excellent. With a
body that provides warmth, it is highly practical, and considering
it is a piece from over 20 years ago, its condition is truly remarkable.
In recent years, the market for tour jackets—not only those from the Vietnam War era but
also those from the early 2000s Gulf and Middle East wars—has been rapidly gaining recognition.
Among these, this particular jacket stands out as a piece with an exceptional
story, featuring elements
such as a real-life aircraft
carrier (CVN-75)
, the Sixth Fleet, multiple operations, and records of port calls in various countries.
It is a highly attractive piece, whether for a collection or for wearing.
Please note that this is a used item and cannot be returned.
Size (flat measurement):
Shoulder width 62 cm, Chest width 71 cm, Length 72 cm, Sleeve length 69 cm
