This is an actual souvenir jacket custom-made in South Korea by U.S. Air Force soldiers stationed there during the Korean War as a memento of their service.

While it belongs to the same cultural sphere as the "Japan Jackets" (Sukajan) made by troops stationed in Japan, the number of surviving examples made for troops stationed in South Korea is overwhelmingly small, and opportunities to see them on the market are extremely rare.

This piece is a striking garment featuring a vibrant blue-and-silver and black-and-silver color scheme. It is reversible, with the same unit motif embroidered on both sides. Unlike mass-produced items, it is finished with hand embroidery by skilled artisans, resulting in subtle differences in the shape of the letters and the texture of the embroidery between the front and back. It is precisely this “variation” that gives these vintage souvenir jackets their unique charm.

On the back, in large letters,

“17th BOMB WING(L)”,
“BLACK KNIGHTS”, and
“KOREA”

along with an aircraft motif.

The 17th Bomb Wing (Light) was a U.S. Air Force bomber wing that operated B-26 Invaders during the Korean War, undertaking dangerous missions such as night bombing and close air support. One of its subordinate units used the famous nickname “Black Knights.”

The Black Knights are known for their outstanding achievements in night-time incursion operations during the Korean War and are recognized as an elite unit that repeatedly carried out attacks on enemy supply lines and railway networks. This jacket is believed to be a privately purchased item made to commemorate service with or deployment to this proud unit.

The chest features a triangular patch design embroidered with

and the inscriptions “5th AF” and
“REMCO MHO”

can be seen.

"5th AF" refers to the U.S. Air Force’s 5th Air Force, the command that served as the main force of the Far East Air Force during the Korean War. "REMCO MHO" is believed to be an abbreviation for a logistics and management department or an organization related to garrison facilities, though a precise interpretation is difficult. Nevertheless, it remains a highly intriguing detail linked to individual soldiers of that era.

The condition is excellent, making it a very fine example of a souvenir jacket from this era. While there are some minor stains and signs of wear, the fabric retains its sheen, and the embroidery is in excellent condition. There is some slight shifting of the padding, but this is a very common sign of aging in jackets from the 1950s.

Furthermore, the sizing is particularly noteworthy. While the vast majority of Korean War-era souvenir jackets of this type are small, this piece retains a relatively large, wearable size.

This jacket encapsulates the historical context of the Korean War, the U.S. Air Force, the 5th Air Force, the 17th Bomb Wing, and the Black Knights, making it a piece that possesses both historical and collectible value. Even among “Korea Jackets”—which are far rarer than “Japan Jackets”—it is extremely rare to find one with such rich and detailed embroidery. It is a masterpiece of Korean War-era souvenir jackets.

Country of Manufacture: South Korea or Japan (estimated)
Date: Circa 1950s (Korean War era)
Unit: 17th Bomb Wing (Light) / Black Knights Specifications
: Reversible

Please note that this is a used item and cannot be returned.

Size (flat measurements)

Shoulder width: 27 cm Chest
width: 56 cm Length
: 54 cm

Sleeve Length: 88 cm (Raglan Sleeves)

*Consignment item (C)