Parachutes were widely used by the AAF during WWII for obvious reasons. The chute systems were manufactured for the war effort by several companies, including Automotive Fibers, American Lady Corset Co., Fashion Frocks, Reliance, Irvin, and Swittlik, and others.
Bomber crews generally used the chest harness type chute system, such as the A-3 and A-4. Fighter pilots generally used "seat pack" types, like the AN-6510.
When crews jumped from their planes it was termed 'hitting the silk'. For those parachuting in combat, they became members of the Caterpillar Club.
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