489th Bomb Group Museum: Helen McMullen's Parachute Wedding Dress

Jack McMullen was a B-24 Pilot with the 489th Bomb Group, 844th Squadron. He returned to Halesworth in 1996 with his wife Helen for a 489th Reunion. Following their visit, Helen wanted to donate her WWII silk parachute wedding dress to the 489th Bomb Group Museum where it is currently on display.

Helen’s wedding dress was made out of a silk parachute by her mother-in-law, also named Helen. From the photographs you can see the dress was beautifully made. There are two garments; a silk fitted ‘petticoat’ or ‘underskirt’, and the dress itself with a full ‘net’ skirt. The sleeves and the back are fastened with a great number of buttons, each one covered in silk by Helen herself. Parachute cords were used for decoration. The dress itself is a work of art.

Later, Helen decided to alter her wedding dress to enable her to wear it to go dancing in. As a result, the long sleeves on the dress were removed and a pair of short ‘cap’ sleeves fitted. Before sending her wedding dress to the museum, Helen had the long sleeves re-fitted into the dress as you can see in the photos.

This beautiful dress was made over 60 years ago and is still in perfect condition.

Helen McMullen's parachute wedding dress on display in the 489th Bomb Group Museum