What does Sgt. Hack and Indy Jackets have in common?

What does Sgt. Hack and Indy Jackets have in common? More than you might know.
Neil Cooper, a former partner of Sgt. Hack originally conceived the first pattern for the INDIANA JONES movies by combining features of the Air Force A2 and the Navy G1.  Eliminating the cuffs and waist band from the A2 and then adding the Bi-Swing back, small side gaps & side adjustment straps with rectangular sliders, the Indy jacket was born. There have been multiple jacket manufacturers who have contributed to the four INDIANA JONES movies but it has been verified that the pedigree originated with Neil Cooper and He in fact supplied 8 jackets for the TEMPLE OF DOOM.
Sgt. Hack, the CEO of US Wings, has passionately and continuously
developed the largest selection of Indy Style jackets in the world, available in  Texas Steerhide, Antique Lambskin, Cowhide, Bison, Kangaroo and Striated Lambskin leathers.

Now you can Win a Free U.S. Wings Indy Style Texas Steerhide  Jacket by sending us a email telling us why you like Indiana Jones and why You like the Indy-Style Jacket.   One jacket will be given away the 15th of every Month until Christmas. One jacket per customer. No purchase necessary.

Click on US Wings Free Indy Jacket.

Sgt Hack

What are Sgt. Hack's Bomber Jackets?

 What are Sgt. Hack's Bomber Jackets?  Sgt. Hack is the CEO of US Wings, the premier manufacture of leather Flight Jackets, Bomber Jackets and Indy Style Jackets in the United States.

Bomber Jackets are very often mislabeled.  True Bomber Jackets are the jackets worn by flight crews in the B-17 and B-24 Aircraft.  The B-3 Jacket is the true Bomber Jacket.   As the planes were not pressured and had open windows for gun ports, flight crews in the B-17 and B-24 aircraft were exposed to sub-zero temperatures. The crews wore B-3 jackets and pants with sheep wool  linings to try to compensate for the cold.

Army-Air Force pilots wore the A-2 flight jacket. The U.S. Navy pilots wore the G-1 jacket.  The A-2 and G-1 Flight jackets are made of leather.  The military issue is Goatskin.  Many other different types of leather are used in the commercial market such as cowhide, bison, horsehide, lamb and kangaroo.

For more information click on US Wings.

Why was Sgt. Hack on Wake Island?

Sgt. Hack prior to his service in the United States Army was a seaman in the United States Coast Guard.  He is shown above, holding the E Flag.  He was stationed on Wake Island for 16 months from 1958 to 1959.
Wake Island, prior to the invention of GPS, was a very important LORAN navigation station for ocean going ships. LORAN was the means that ocean going ships used to navigate and determine their position at sea. The United States Coast Guard maintained the LORAN station on Wake.

  Wake Island (also known as Wake Atoll) is an unorganized, unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the western Pacific Ocean in th, 2,416 km (1501 mi) east of Guam, 3,698 km (2,298 mi) west of Honolulu and 3,205 km (1,992 mi) southeast of Tokyo. Wake Island is one of the most isolated islands in the world and the nearest inhabited island is Utirik Atoll in the Marshall Islands, 952 km (592 mi) miles to the southeast. The island is a coral atoll administered by the United States Air Force, under agreement with the Department of the Interior. The center of activity on the atoll is at Wake Island Airfield  which is primarily used as a mid-Pacific refueling stop for military aircraft and as an emergency landing area. The 9,800-foot (3,000 m) runway is the longest strategic runway in the Pacific islands. Located south of the runway is a missile launch facility operated by the United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the Missile Defense Agency. There are about 94 people living on Wake Island and access to the island is restricted.
On December 8th 1941 the Japanese attacked Wake Island.  The isolated U.S. garrison was overwhelmed by a reinforced and greatly superior Japanese invasion force on December 23.^[43] American casualties numbered 52 military personnel (Navy and Marine) and approximately 70 civilians killed. Japanese losses exceeded 700 dead, with some estimates ranging as high as 1,000. Wake's defenders sank two Japanese destroyers and one submarine, and shot down 24 Japanese aircraft. The relief fleet, en route, on hearing of the island's loss, turned back.

In the aftermath of the battle, most of the captured civilians and military personnel were sent to POW camps in Asia, though some of the civilian laborers were enslaved by the Japanese and tasked with improving the island's defenses. After a successful American air raid on October 5, 1943, the Japanese commander ordered the execution of all of the 98 captured Americans who remained on the island. They were taken to the northern end of the island, blindfolded, and machine-gunned. One prisoner escaped, carving the message "98 US PW 5-10-43" on a large coral rock near where the victims had been hastily buried in a mass grave. This unknown American was soon recaptured and beheaded.

In 1986, in the first printing of The Life of a Warrior, based upon the life of Sgt Hack, he describes his time on Wake Island:

“After disembarking from his ship, the young Coast Guard sailor David Hack found himself on Wake Island among the skeletal remains of those who had died there.  The Japanese who had occupied the island for the length of the war had never buried the American dead, and America never used it again as a major outpost.  So, while on Wake Island, Hack took the time to put some of America’s bravest men into their final resting place…… Unknown to Hack at the time, this was a pivotal point in his life.  He began a relationship of love and respect for those who had fought and died for their country, his country.  This respect would permeate his life for the rest of his days.”

Wake Island is a Coral Atoll.  Although there is a layer of sand, it is very shallow and covers the Coral foundation on which it is formed.  Typhoons and huge waves played havoc in the fifties.  Shortly after his arrival on Wake in 1958, Sgt. Hack discovered many bones, uniforms, ammunition and other remnants from the war that had been uncovered by nature.   Digging through the shifting sand, Sgt. Hack sent letters, and remnants of uniforms to the University of Hawaii for preserving.  He buried scattered bones and made a memorial to those who had fought for our country.

Sgt Hack's military service record for his time spent on Wake can be  viewed at : Sgt Hack Wake Island.

How you can Honor High School Seniors going into the Military

Honoring High School Seniors is the purpose of the  “Our Community Salutes”  program  which identifies  high school graduates enlisting in the Armed Forces. US Wings has been a proud sponsor for the annual “Our Community Salutes” program.  467 graduating seniors who enlisted in the Armed Forces of the United States were honored at Cleveland State University.  Included were students from eight northeast Ohio counties, 131 public, private, charter, home and on-line schools. Family, friends, teachers and public officials recognized their commitment to serving our country.

Pictured above are : Lt. General Robert Wagner, US Army (Ret), Co-Chairman of “Our Community Salutes”; Colonel Terence Trenchard, Commanding Officer 4th Marine Corps District and the principal guest speaker; Mr. William Willoughby, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army and Co-Chairman of “Our Community Salutes”; SFC David Hack, US Army (Ret), CEO of US Wings and Platinum Sponsor of “Our Community Salutes”.

This ceremony recognizes those students who have committed to entering the Armed Forces and are recognized by Military leaders, Community leaders, Business leaders and their families. Founded in 2009 in New Jersey by Dr. Kenneth Hartman, “Our Community Salutes” programs have been established in over 40 cities across America. Saluting High School Seniors who are enlisting in our Armed Forces helps recognize the contribution they will be making to our society.

Honoring those High School Seniors who have chosen to volunteer to serve our country is the first step in recognizing their desire to protecting our freedoms. You can get involved by participating in this wonderful program.

What are People saying about The Life of a Warrior?

 Reviews of this book which is based upon the life of SFC David D. Hack are coming in from around the world.  Over 100,000 copies of this book, now in its 9th printing have been given free.  This book is Sgt. Hack's attempt to give back to his fellow veterans and help those who still have adversities in their lives.  Read some of most recent reviews:

The book is a great look on one man’s life as a soldier in Vietnam. Good times and hard times. As he saw his friends fight and die, along with his self being all shot up.
The one time Sgt Hack was hit was on Rocket Day April 10th 1968. I saw the rocket that hit Hack. Since then our lives have come around 360 degrees, as we finally got to meet 45 years later.
A great meeting. So this is why I enjoyed the book, I knew what he went through and never gave up. A true friend, and survivor he was. I would fight anywhere, anytime with my friend, Sgt David Hack.
War is so hard to forget
And so easy to remember

Tom Mercer

“POINTMAN”

 This is a story of hope, grit and determination. The author's American journey follows the track of countless other Americans who started out dirt poor and made a good life for themselves and their families because they never quit. That is what this book is all about.

The secret of America is HOPE. Why do foreigners risk their lives to come to America? Because they can breath free. Because they may work 12 hours a day with a push cart or hotdog stand in the streets, but their families will eat regularly and their kids will get to go to Public School and read Thomas Jefferson and Whitman and Louisa May Alcott and Hemmingway. By the third generation there will be a Steinway Grand in the family living room and a daughter, who has a scholarship to Juliard, will be playing Mozart to her family, including a gnarled grandfather and his wife who worked 12 hours a day, a mother and father who run a corner grocery, a kid brother who is enrolled in Harvard Medical School and another brother who is attending Marine Corps Command and General Staff College. DO note that NO immigrants strive to get into Iran or the middle eastern countries. Why not? Read Sergeant Hack's life story.

Every day, millions of us look back on our families lives and say, "Only in America." Is Sergeant Hack's American Journey as set out in his book, any different than the journey of millions of others. Nope. That very fact is what makes his story great. Well done, by God.

Now, if he could only line his great leather A2 jackets with Nomex (NASCAR drivers and American flight crews wear it for fire protection) instead of Nylon (which melts into your skin in a fire), he could add a great chapter in his life story about how his Nomex lined jackets saved the lives of airmen and other Americans who were involved in firey accidents.

Something tells me that Sergeant Hack will, as the saying goes," Get'er done."

And thousands of other Americans will get to continue their American Journey, because one guy named Hack made just one more hard decision on his Journey. And that has made all of the difference.

James Shortill 


This is a very compelling and inciteful story of one man's journey through life and in experiencing it's ups and downs and learning how to cope with them. No doubt had Sgt. David Hack's difficult upbringing change him into becoming the man that he is today and how he had handled what was dealt him and is a perfect example of how one could overcome the trails and tribulations of life and persevere. Sgt. Hack's life story is an inspiration to people like myself as I am dealing with some seious issues and going through a rough time but makes me humble and grateful since things could be a lot worse. I know his story will make a GREAT film and look forward to seeing it.

Joseph McCartney

I have read “The Life of a Warrior” and completely enjoyed it. I found it fascinating how much David Hack has lived. It is equally fascinating how he is always looking up throughout the highs and lows of life. It is a very good read.

Kelly P.

 I wasn’t alive during Vietnam. However I have a huge appreciation for the history of our country and the men and women who lived through it. They are the only ones who can help us imagine what life was like during a different time. As our veterans are getting older our history dies along with their story. What an honor to hear the story of sgt Hack. It gives me an appreciation for what his life was like.

Elizabeth C. 

Heart wrenching, but leaves you with a sense of complete humility.

Connie T.

 i really enjoyed reading the story of SFC David Hack,i think the book really helped my imagination,i didnt think the vietnam war was so hard.i hope the movie that comes out will try to emphisize this.i would be deligted to meet the ceo of us wings.and i im hoping to let my kids read this to.

Benjamin K. 

before i read THE LIFE OF A WARRIOR i first liked the idea that he wrote it in memory of his fellow comrade.throghout the book their were moments to cry and to laugh,what i really liked about this book,is that i really felt like i was a part of the story.it felt so real to me,and i hope they make the movie same.to me,the whole vietnam war was quite a scar in my soul.i really enjoyed reading the book,and i hope others to will enjoy.cant wait for the movie.

Charles K.

 Great Book and very easy to read. It illustrates what has made our country great! Individuals unafraid of serving their country, unafraid of defeat and the desire to make something better!

Stephen R.

 The book was excellent !!!

I served in the US Army during the Vietnam era myself from 1970 – 1972.
God Bless you Sgt Hack for your service to our country !

Gregory P.

 Great to know that there are soldiers of my generation like Sarge.

Enjoyed reading his book. A man of grit is all I can say.

I was in the Army in 68-70 but was sent to South Korea during the dust up from the Chinese.

I hold all veterans in high honor especially 11-B. Nam vets have a special place in my heart.

Military service is one of the top honors of my life serving my country.

Thanks for writing some of your personal life events, I enjoyed it front to back.

Thanks for your unselfish dedication to serve and protect our freedoms.

Welcome Home Soldier, welcome home.

Sgt E-5 Gene Paul Galka
US 54836406
United States Army

 The Life of a Warrior” is a testament to the determination, fortitude and backbone of a true patriot. It shows what can be accomplished in this great country. Sgt Hack is truly an example of someone who continually was knocked down and pulled himself up in the face of many diverse hurdles. As a veteran who also served as a Combat Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division, 28th infantry regiment in Lai Khe 1968, the retelling of his combat experience is a personal accomplishment and brought back my own memories of that year in hell. A job well done and a life well lived Sgt Hack, I salute you.

Joe K.

 Needs to be read by many people. Very good book.

Jason W. 

a true hero book

Bob V. 

An inspiring account of the life of just one military man that should be read by every American.

April L. 

One of the greatest books of its type ever written!

Gregory Hill 

Provocative, I’d be interested in seeing the film based on the book!

Paul K. 

An awe inspiring book about a grass roots person, who honored his older brother and in the tradition of all Military Veterans put his personal needs aside for the betterment of his fellow Americans.
He has earned & brings honor to the title of Nobility in its’ truest sense, by his grand example not just through inheritance.
It is a must read for all elementary & High School students!
Sgt. Hack as so many of his comrades has set the moral pace for both young and old.
Any person that has had many personal struggles in their life should read this book. We need more people in the world like Sgt. Hack.
Well written; brief, but to the point. This book can be read in about an hour. In the time it takes to commute on train to & from work. It teaches a life lesson which shall prove invaluable.

Thomas P.

I terrific story of one persons triumph over adversity. A story that has been repeated time after time throughout the history of this great nation and one that will no doubt inspire many more. It reminds me of a recent quote by another great American, “do your best and let God do the rest.”
Semper Fidelis

Walt D.

 The life of a warrior is not easy.but in america we can make it happen.

Vinny M.

 The book was a great read and the photo collection really connect the dots of the experience to really help the reader “be there”

David D.

Some times those times seem like they happened on another planet. I served USN 6-67/6-71. I never saw any combat, never left CONUS, never served aboard ship but had honor to serve men from all branches of the US Military. I interviewed thousands of men in transit and in processing through the various military systems and structures, including legal and mental. Reading Sargent Hack’s story brought back a flood of memories.

Many of a man’s interactions with fellow service men are brief and perfunctory. My first job was to work in “Receiving” Norfolk Naval Base. For most of the enlisted personnel assigned to this office the duty was temporary. We ran 24/7/365 and the daily through put of men assisted and processed were so many that at times the lines were backed up out the door and around the building, a never ending stream of faces and needs. Most assigned this work quickly burned out. For me this became the most fascinating job I could ever had. As each man stepped up to my window I had a few seconds to look him over, listen to needs, questions and take care of him in a way that best suited his circumstances within the system’s capability.

A service man’s uniform tells a lot of things about him, his rank, his speciality, where he has served, his campaign ribbons, but there is still much that is written in the face and in the eyes. Once you have looked into the eyes of a combat veteran you quickly understand that combat changed him and left an indelible mark. I learned to recognize these men. Most often their needs were ordinary. As a rule it required opening and reading the man’s military record. I learned to swiftly scan the recorded information, double checking my evaluation. Thus within in 60 seconds I had already learned more about him than he would ever guess. I always strived to give each man the best service. For the combat veteran the extra mile for his needs became my honor and my duty.

It has been almost half a century now but I recently learned some things from a 1st cousin of mine who served in the Navy in the same time frame as I. He went on to become a police officer who went into the army to become a helicopter pilot, got out and served the US Border Patrol until he retired. His parents divorced and his mother returned to Kentucky where he was raised in poverty similar to that as Sgt. Hack’s as a young boy. At the age of 13 already starting down the wrong road his maternal grand mother contacted his paternal grand mother who contacted his father. His father traveled back to Kentucky, and returned to the west with his son. My cousin went into the Navy right out of high school. Having myself been divorced under less than ideal circumstances I had an understanding of how things can work so that a father can be forced to be cut out of the lives of his children. I had a special affection for this uncle, a WWII veteran who returned from Europe to quickly marry and quickly divorce. However, my cousin confessed to me that he still carried anger, bitterness, and resentment towards his now departed father.

Reading Sgt. Hacks biography touched a lot of tender places for me. Having looked deeply into the eyes of combat veterans of ground war, of air war, and sea war I have an unending appreciation of the sacrifice of so many so that the many more could live in peace.

My father, four uncles and a grand father all veterans, three combat veterans, and in recent ancestry research found a family tree filled with veterans, and a few villains. In 1917 my paternal grand father’s younger brother took his place in the draft and died in combat in France at 11:00 AM, November 11, 1918. I’m confident Sgt. Hack would find the same truths in his family’s history.

Richard F.

 Write your review of The Life of a Warrior and win a chance for a FREE A-2 Flight Jacket from US Wings.    Please include your impression, feelings and personal anecdotes.  Explain how the book may have affected or inspired you.  Your review will place you into a drawing for a FREE Leather Modern A-2 Flight Jacket.  One jacket will be given away the 15th of every Month until Christmas.  One jacket per customer and one entry per customer.  No purchase necessary. 
You can read the book online for free by downloading the book in PDF format.

Why do we want your reviews?  Saylors  Brothers Entertainment is creating a feature film based on 
"The Life of a Warrior" book and your reviews will be part of the film.  The Saylors Brothers also produced The Ballad of Sgt, Hack music video.  You want to be part of a Hollywood movie?  Here's your chance, send us your review!

False Statements about Sgt. Hack exposed!

Many False Statements regarding the military career of SFC David D. Hack has been circulated by certain individuals and groups. Jim Carney of the Akron Beacon Journal wrote this story to confirm Sgt. Hack's military Record:

"A federal agency in charge of military personnel records admitted it made errors in releasing records last year concerning Hudson mayoral candidate David Hack.

It also apologized for the gaffes.

The military record of Hack, a former Army recruiter who gained national notoriety in the late 1960s and 1970s, became an issue during the campaign.

One issue raised was whether Hack retired as a specialist (SPC) or as a sergeant first class (SFC).

Official military records of Hack released by a group called the POW Network showed that Hack’s final rank was specialist. Hack maintained that he retired as a sergeant first class.

The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis has sent a letter to Hack’s attorney, Gregory Bean, acknowledging that the records it sent to the POW Network had an incorrect final rank.

Hack, 72, who owns USA Wings, a military clothing and paraphernalia company in Hudson, lost the election to incumbent William Currin.

The agency’s letter, which was included in a full-page advertisement in Wednesday’s Beacon Journal, admits that it made errors in the release in Hack’s service number, rank and place of entry.

“Though no words of mine can change the fact that an error was made or lessen the impact it has had on your client, it is my hope that you would agree that the actions we have taken since becoming aware of the error have been responsive and appropriate,” wrote Scott A. Levins, director of the agency. “I sincerely apologize for our error and for any adverse impact experienced by Mr. Hack.”

During the campaign, questions were also raised as to whether Hack, who had served in the Coast Guard before joining the Army, was an Army Ranger. Hack has said that while he trained Rangers, he did not enter Ranger School.

Hack filed defamation lawsuits last year against former WKYC television reporter Eric Mansfield, himself a retired Ohio Army National Guard major, as well as the TV station, Mayor Currin and 25 John Does.

Hack’s attorney dismissed the claim against Mansfield, now a spokesman for Kent State University, and the others in April.

Hack noted that he paid for Wednesday’s advertisement “to set the record straight.”

Last July in a Hudson ceremony, U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township, presented Hack with a Purple Heart, a medal he said he had never received.

Hack said he has applied for a second Purple Heart, which he is entitled to after receiving wounds in Vietnam.

He said Wednesday that his business has been hurt substantially over the last year because of the controversy over his military record.

Hack also said the records and acknowledgement from the federal government of errors and the agency’s apology prove that his military record is legitimate and that he is not a military fake.

“I served my country, I served my country well and I am proud of it,” he said.

WKYC aired a story this month confirming that Hack had indeed retired as a sergeant first class."

Jim Carney Akron Beacon Journal

Honoring our Wounded Warriors

The first Wounded Warrior Monument in the state of Ohio was unveiled  at the Medina VFW Post 5137.  Spearheaded by Mr. Bob Bader, a member of Post 5137, the Wounded Warrior Monument honors our heroes that have protected our freedom. Mr. Bob Bader spearheaded the fund raising activities as well as the design and manufacture of the statue.   The inspiration for the monument came as Bader was walking through the VFW hall in North Olmsted and he notice a veteran doing the moonwalk on his prosthetic “blades.” 
The Wounded Warrior Monument was sculpted by Milano Monuments of Cleveland Ohio, and is from black granite from Africa.   SFC David Hack, CEO of US Wings, is shown in front of the monument.  US Wings and Sgt. Hack are among the sponsors of the Wounded Warrior Monument.  
On the day of the dedication more than 1200 people showed up at the Medina Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5137 to participate in a poker run to raise money for service members who have been severely injured.  The event raised more than $18,000. The “wounded warrior” statue is the first monument in Ohio dedicated solely to veterans who have been injured in battle.
Drive down Rt 42 north of Medina. Stop and give honor to those who sacrificed their lives for our country.