US WW2 B4 Mea West Life Preserver 1942 Waist Gunner S/SGT Horton USAAF

In very good condition, a rare US WWII B4 Life Preserver. This is an early example, complete with all straps, valves, and cylinders. The stamp is clearly legible and dated 1942. On the back, this life preserver is named to Waist Gunner S/SGT Harry H. Horton.

S/SGT Horton was part of the crew of B17 number 42-3227, which was shot down in August 1943 over Holland near Houthem, about 6 km northeast of Maastricht. Of the 10 crew members in total, only 3 managed to escape, one of them being S/SGT Horton. This life preserver was found and left behind in Holland and was left by S/SGT Horton during his escape. A beautiful and historically special item that deserves more research.