When Gable's wife, Carole Lombard, tragically died in a plane crash returning from a War Bond drive, a grief-stricken Gable joined the U.S. Army Air Force and was off the screen for three years, flying combat missions in Europe. He served in the 8th Air Force as an aerial gunner and instructor, flying missions with the 303rd, 305th and 351st Bomb Groups.

This flight jacket was obtained by a comrade of Gable's in the 303rd Bomb Group.

Photograph courtesy of Helen Menninger Constable.