Cap, Service
Object number2016.30.8
Manufacturer
The Opper Cap Company
Date1939-1945
OriginCleveland, OH
MediumFabric/Leather/Plastic/Metal/Brass
Credit LineGift of Barbara Pontello
DescriptionGreen military service cap. Brown leather brim, chinstrap, and sweatband. Chinstrap has metal buckle and one brass button on each temple; buttons feature the Great Seal of the United States on the front. Interior is lined with brown plastic. Black tag on sweatband with hat sizing. Maker's mark inside at center.Gift of Barbara PontelloDimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 2.25 × 11 × 9.625 in. (5.7 × 27.9 × 24.4 cm)InscriptionsBlack tag on sweatband with white text "7 1/4".
MarksOval maker's mark inside at center with text "MANUFACTURERS / The Opper Cap Co. / UNIFORM CAPS / CLEVELAND".
Historical NotesThis uniform jacket was worn by Aldo Pontello (known as Norman,) who was a pilot in the European Campaign and flew multiple missions over Germany. Antonio Pontello of Horning, PA, and his three sons, Alfred, Aldo, and Roy, served the Allied forces in various capacities during WWII. Antonio, an Italian immigrant and coal miner, was too old for the draft, so he served stateside as auxiliary military police patrolling the Allegheny Country Airport. Antonio's three sons each served in the military: one as a pilot, one as a paratrooper, and one as infantry. His son Aldo, known as Norman, was a pilot in the European Campaign and flew multiple missions over Germany; the WWII uniform pieces belonged to him. Photographs related to Antonio and Norman were also donated to L&A. The Trimbur collection (2016.14) is related.
Previous owner
Norman Aldo Pontello
Related institution
United States Army Air Forces
On View
Not on view
Kaufmann's Department Store
Keystone Uniform Cap Corporation
1999