July 8th, 2008 admin
My favorite antiques and collectibles tell a story. It’s been my experience that unearthing the story is more rewarding than the challenge of obtaining the item. My most recent “story” began at the Hastings, Nebraska military collectibles show in March 2008. I had just set up my dealer table and started walking the floor to see what other dealers brought to sell. A fellow Omaha dealer was loading a garment rack with several US WWII uniforms, so I walked over to take a look.
My eyes were drawn to a green wool USMC blouse and trousers with a 6th Marine Division patch, corporal chevrons, an honorable discharge patch, and matching EGA (Eagle, Globe, and Anchor) collar devices. I looked inside the blouse to discover an unusual name penned inside the shoulder (where size and date are marked on WWII USMC uniforms). The dealer had no information about the veteran, nor did he recall how he acquired the uniform, but he was sure it was a local find.
We agreed on a price, and I walked away with the uniform and a gut feeling that I was going to find information about this soldier. When I returned from the show, I began my research and quickly discovered the veteran was born in Grinnell, Iowa and had attended college at Grinnell University. After college, he entered the Marines and later became an editorial writer for the Omaha World Herald newspaper.
I was on a roll! Further research revealed that he and his wife were living in a retirement community a few miles from my home and his children published a book in 2000 containing a large selection of their father’s World Herald editorials. The book was available at Amazon.com and the first chapter exclusively detailed his experiences as a Scout with H Company, 29th Marines, 6th Division during WWII. Before attempting to contact the veteran, I ordered a copy of his book and read every passage about his experiences being a Marine.
One story that is difficult to forget addresses the randomness of death and injury in combat. It explains how the veteran earned his Purple Heart Medal for a gunshot wound, while simultaneously losing a fellow Marine who had been lying beside him. The two Marines were ahead of their platoon scouting enemy movement on Sugar Loaf Hill (located on the island of Okinawa), when a Japanese machine gun crew flanked them and opened fire on their position. Had the Japanese flanked from the opposite direction fate may have reversed the outcome of these men.
After reading the book, I decided to call the veteran and our conversation went well. He was intrigued that I took the time to find him. After explaining my methodologies in locating him he proclaimed that, “I knew his whole life story.” With a laugh I replied, “That’s what happens when you publish a book about yourself!”
I asked about this uniform and apparently it was sold when he and his wife liquidated their house to move into a smaller apartment. After a nice talk over the phone, we agreed to meet in person. He was kind enough to offer me a copy of his discharge papers, military photos, as well as other ephemera from his days as a Marine to put with the uniform. I listened as he talked about Marine life, his career as a writer, and his family. Being the first generation in my family to finish college, I was amazed to hear the veteran’s father and grandfather had also graduated from college.
As I prepared to leave, I pulled my copy of his book from my bag and asked if he wouldn’t mind signing it. He smiled and wrote inside the cover, “To Chris: Best Wishes & Semper Fi!!” I thanked him for the sacrifices he made for our country and for taking the time to share his experiences with me. I am deeply honored to be the caretaker of his uniform and his stories.
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June 29th, 2008 admin
This was the first named WWII Airborne group I acquired for my collection and it remains one of my favorites.
The veteran served in WWII from 6-10-1944 to 6-4-1946. He completed jump school in time to make a combat jump with the 507th PIR during Operation Varsity (Rhine River Crossing). Being a late war replacement, Benson did not have enough points to return to the states and was transferred to the 508th PIR for occupation duty in Germany.
This group consists of:
• Ike Jacket with 17th and 82nd Airborne SSIs, Belgian fourragère, sterling jump wings with star (for his combat jump), three-place ribbon bar (GCM, ETO w/ invasion arrowhead and two campaign stars, WWII Victory Medal), Sterling Combat Infantry Badge, PUC, Ruptured Duck, EM Inf collar devices (domed), and three overseas stripes.
• Two infantry piped overseas caps (one with Para/Glider patch)
• M42 Jump Jacket and Trousers
• Wool shirt, trousers, and waist belt with a brass roller buckle
• Army soap case
• Colorized portrait in period frame
• Framed jump certificate
• Army Song Book and Soldiers Handbook
• Spare buttons with drawstring bag
• German Heer buckle, dress bayonet, and leather frog
• Two place ribbon bar (GCM, ETO w/ Arrowhead and two campaign stars)
• Good Conduct Medal and two lapel pins
• Marksman badge with rifle tab
• PUC ribbon
• Tie bar
• 8 period snapshots during Occupation
• 2nd Bn HQ Mess Pass
• ID Discharge Certificate
• 508 PIR HQ 2nd Bn Class B Pass
• Soldier Pay Book
• Capture Document for a German 9mm pistol (Serial # 8478)
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June 27th, 2008 admin
This is a well-documented Airborne uniform, photograph, and paperwork grouping from my personal collection. The veteran (Anthony A. Gutberlet Jr.) had been with H&S Co. 78th Engineer Bn., 27th Division prior to completing paratrooper training at Sendai Jump School (Japan), and being assigned to 127th AEB (Airborne Engineering Battalion), 11th Airborne Division.
This grouping includes the following:
1. Enlisted/NCO Ike jacket in a size 38R and dated June 10, 1944. The lapels have EM “US” and Engineering collar devices with early, flat-faced clutches. The left (combat) sleeve has a 27th Division shoulder sleeve insignia that is decoratively hand stitched to the uniform in a cross-stitch pattern. The right sleeve has an 11th Airborne patch with engineering cap braid beautifully hand stitched around border. There are two overseas stripes on the cuff. The left breast has a sterling marked, pin-back set of jump wings, a three-piece, pin-back ribbon bar with an Army of Occupation ribbon (for Japan), a WWII Victory ribbon, and an Asiatic Pacific Campaign ribbon. Directly above the three-piece ribbon bar is a pin-back Good Conduct ribbon. There are a few tiny moth nips in the jacket, but you have to really look hard in strong light to find them. It displays perfectly.
2. Enlisted overseas cap with engineer braid and a beautiful, Japanese-made heavy bullion airborne cap badge. The red wool backing is excellent with no mothing. The cap is lined in silk with a leather sweatband. There is no size, but I would guess it’s about a 7.
3. Brass roller belt buckle that has been customized by affixing sterling jump wings on the face of the buckle then overlaying officers Engineer collar device on top of the jump wings! Very sharp!
4. Early enamel Engineering DI w/ threaded post
5. Single dog tag (named to the vet)
6. An original jump certificate from the Sendai Jump School; that is hand signed by General Swing. This is a rare document!
7. Three-page hand written lyric sheets for the song, “Blood on the Risers”
8. Hard cover photo album containing 244 photographs of the veteran in the 27th Division and 11th Airborne. There are many photographs of the vet and his buddies in jump boots and signature 11th A/B “swing caps”, doing parachute jumps, etc. Most of the photographs have nice descriptions written under them. There is a wealth of information here. The back cover of the album contains written entries of important dates for the veteran.
9. Twenty-nine loose photographs (some 5×7). Of the 5×7 images, One of the photos is of the vet in a jeep w/ a khaki overseas cap with airborne patch, khaki Class B’s with his pants blouses into his boots. His shirt has a jump oval and wings and his 11th Airborne SSI has engineering cap braid around it. The other image is of the vet in a jeep in HBTs. He is wearing his jump wings around his neck by threading them through dog tag chain!
10. Original certificates for completed courses including infantry training, blueprint reading, etc.
11. On original copy of a general order (HQ 127th A/B Engineer Bn)
12. Two original prints of 6×11 unit photos for 78th Engineer Bn w/ the names of all the vets on the back.
13. Seventeen pieces of paper occupational currency
14. Several paper items (immunization record, temporary passes, motor vehicle permits, ration cards, programs, etc).
All the items have been carefully stored in archival quality sleeves (included). It is difficult to find WWII era uniforms groupings that come with any paperwork. This one has plenty!
ON HOLD Click here to view more images
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June 27th, 2008 admin
This is a very complete group for a Special Forces veteran that served two tours in Vietnam and was killed on 16 July, 1970 at camp A-236 (Bu Prang) while patrolling the camp perimeter. Prior to assignment at Camp A-236, he was with 1st Special Forces Group and TDY’d to FOB-3, (Command and Control North MACV-SOG) on a Snakebite Team and served on a Hatchet Force. This vet is listed in Sherman’s Who Who in SOG on page 132. Some of his awards include: US and Philippine Jump Wings, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medals, Vietnamese Gross of Gallantry w/ Palm, PUB, and Navy PUC.
I purchased everything in this group from a person who lives in the same town as the veteran’s parents. He purchased the items directly from the family.
The items in this group include:
1. CISO made PJs. CISO (Counter Insurgency Support Office) was located on Okinawa and headed by Ben Baker. They made “sterile” untraceable weapons, equipment, and garments to be used by CIA, Special Forces, and Indigenous personnel in Vietnam and denied areas like Laos and Cambodia. There is ample photographic evidence of CISO PJs being worn by SOG Hatchet Teams in cross border operations.
This Set of PJs have been worn but are in excellent condition. They have the CISO silk size tags marked “M” for medium. The trousers have the vet’s initials in white laundry marker.
2. Tigerstripe camouflage shirt in “Tadpole Sparse” pattern. Size tag in neck is marked “A-L” for Asian Large. The shirt has strong color and all buttons with original thread. There is one pea-sized hole in the chest. Otherwise, the shirt is in excellent condition.
3. 1968 dated Jungle jacket in excellent condition. This must have been the soldier’s garrison jacket because it is crisp with nicely sewn insignia. The shoulder has early twill subdued Special Forces SSI. The breast has US and Philippine jump wings.
4. 1968 dated OG-107 Utility shirt with early twill subdued Special Forces SSI on the shoulder, a Combat Infantry Badge, and US Jump Wings. There are period repairs to both armpits that are not visible when displayed. The collar has a laundry tag with the last 4 digits of the vet’s Army serial number.
5. Rare and unique tigerstripe Okinawa-made apron with “SP/5 WEAVER, CAMP HARDY, COMBAT TRAINING CENTER” machine embroidered on the front. The vet’s MOS was Demolitions and I would assume that he wore this apron when working with and advising on explosives.
6. 1965 dated OG-107 Dive Shorts. The soldier’s nametape is sewn across the leg and his laundry ID is in the waist. These were commonly worn while scuba diving.
7. Green Class A Blouse with SSGT Chevrons and cut-edge color Special Forces SSI. The blouse has several moth nips, but still could display decently. Loose insignia is listed in number 17.
8. Black leather jump boots in excellent condition.
9. Theater-made camouflage ascot
10. Theater-made pillow cover with hand embroidered tiger and “Viet-Nam”.
11. Interesting rigger-made Airborne M1-C helmet web chin cup
12. Vietnam souvenir ceramic ashtray
13. The vet’s Basic Training yearbook from Fort Knox, Kentucky
14. Two Special Forces transfer decals
15. Training Manuals with Weaver’s Name on them
16. Spiral notebook with demolition notes and a letter to a girlfriend that he never finished…
17. Insignia including 8 nametapes, Army tape, two cloth jump wings, two cloth CIBs, two Special Forces para ovals, two subdued SF SSIs, two color SF SSIs, 1 color airborne tab, 5th Group flash, 1st Group flash, 10th Group flash, SF DI (with 1 prong missing), Vietnamese-made Playboy Bunny patch, Vietnamese made three place ribbon bar, EM garrison cap badge with blue infantry disk.
18. Montagnard carving of a Huey Helicopter
19. Copies of general orders and citations for Weaver’s Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Award Document.
20. Detailed NARA records containing undeleted sheets of Weaver’s awards received, assignments, and achievements.
$2000.00 (USD) Click here to view more images
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December 10th, 2007 admin
I just read an article stating there are only three living WWI vets left. It seems like they all faded away without receiving the recognition they deserved. I’ve only met one WWI vet in my life. He was my great uncle Benny. Benny served with the 88th Division and told me that he survived the war but nearly died on the troop ship coming home because of a serious flu outbreak. I wished I had been older when Benny was alive, so I could have asked him about his experiences. Sadly, no one else in my family asked him either and now his stories are gone.
Recently, I had the fortune of purchasing a wonderful footlocker group for a 355th M.G. (machine gun), 89th Division veteran directly from the vet’s son. I asked the son to tell me stories about his father. Like most veterans, his father returned from the war, found work, and did not talk about his experiences. The son told me that his father discussed the war with him only once. On this occasion, they both sat in the attic, in front of his footlocker, and his father told him stories of fighting, being wounded and gassed, having his big toe blown off, and Army life in general. Then they returned from the attic and never discussed it again.
The 355th group included:
1. Wool overcoat with 89th Division machine gunner insignia
2. Wool tunic with 89th Division machine gunner insignia and a 3rd Army patch (for German occupation)
3. Fur felt campaign hat
4. Two pairs of wool trousers
5. Footlocker and tray
6. Canvas meat tin pouch (worn on his haversack)
7. Mess kit, utensils, and two canteen cups
8. Trench art ashtray made from brass
9. French-made leather gloves
10. Several sets of puttees (leg wraps)
11. Color copies of the veteran’s wound certificate, tinted photo, and draft cards (the son wanted to keep the originals)
I verified the vet being wounded by gas on 11-4-1918 (during St. Mihiel) in the 89th Division unit history. His wound certificate lists him with the 145th Infantry (37th Div), so he fought with the 145th prior to the 355th. I am researching 145th Infantry records to determine when and how many times he was wounded while serving in the 37th Division.
It was a rare pleasure to acquire this original group from the family and hear details about the veteran that I would have never been known had I found these items at an auction or militaria show. Opportunities like this are few and far between these days!
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August 26th, 2007 admin
A few months ago, I made a post about a recently acquired M42 Jump Jacket that was reinforced and CC2 impregnated. Initially, I made the assumption that it was a Normandy/D-Day jacket, but when I was able to ID the vet, my hypothesis was wrong. The jacket belonged to a 504th PIR vet.
The 504th fought hard in Italy, but were unable to make the Normandy jump because once they arrived in England to prepare for Operation Overlord, it was determined that there were not enough men in the regiment to make the jump. A little known fact is that 504th used their reinforced M42 jump suits during the Holland jump (Operation Market Garden). So, although this jacket wasn’t used in Normandy, it was likely used on the Holland jump.
I wrote to NARA and requested service information for the veteran.
- He served from 25 November 1940 to 23 September 1945
- He was in the following units:
- Company L 156th Infantry, Parachute Battalion
- 504th Parachute Infantry
- HQ & HQ 504th Infantry, 82nd Division
- HQ & HQ Co 507 Parachute Infantry
- He served in the following Campaigns:
- Sicily
- Naples-Foggia
- Rome-Arno
- Rhineland (Invasion Arrowhead)
- Ardennes
- Central Europe
- He is credited with the following awards , but may have more according to a note on the NARA document:
- ETO Campaign Medal w/ a silver star, bronze star, and one invasion arrowhead
- Good ConductMedal
- American Defense Service Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Combat Infantry Badge
- Bronze Star Medal
- WWII Victory Medal
Since this veteran was never wounded, it is likely he made the Sicily, Salerno, and Holland jumps. I checked Pay’s book Thunder From Heaven to see if he made the Varsity jump when he was with the 507th, but he was not listed. His participation in six campaigns gave him enough points to go home after Germany surrendered. He must have been transferred to the 507th just before being sent home.
Click here to view more images of this jump jacket
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August 10th, 2007 admin
Here is a uniform and document group for an airborne trooper that fought in combat with the 187th RCT in Korea and later the 173rd Airborne in Vietnam until we was mortally wounded.
Sgt. Robert Allen Gray served 11 months in Korea with the 187th RCT Rakkasan’s. He served in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 503rd PIR, 173rd Airborne in Vietnam.
On 18 Dccember 1965, Gray’s company was on a Search and Destroy mission at Courtenay, Republic of Vietnam when his company encountered a large force of well-entrenched Viet Cong. The forward elements of the company were ordered to mark the Viet Cong positions with smoke grenades. One of the grenades thrown hit thick underbrush and bounced back onto a soldier and became entangled in his webbing.
SGT Gray saw that the soldier was being burned by the grenade and rushed to his aid, exposing himself to intense enemy fire. He grabbed the grenade and threw back at the Viet Cong but was killed by small arms fire in the process. His grenade landed on target and marked the enemy position for air strike.
For this act of heroism, SGT Gray received a posthumous Silver Star Medal and Purple Heart Medal.
The items in this group include:
• Class A Blouse, Shirt, and Trousers. The blouse is patched with a Korean era 187th RCT patch on the right (combat) sleeve and an 82nd Airborne patch on the right sleeve. Gray was in the 82nd Airborne prior to being attached to the 173rd. The blouse and trousers are both 1960 dated. All three items are in excellent condition with no stains or mothing.
• 1st Pattern OG-107 Utility shirt with all full color insignia. The 187th RCT patch is a highly desirable Okinawa-made version. The shirt is 1963 dated and in excellent condition. This shirt and insignia configuration is what SGT Gray would have been wearing when he was mortally wounded. Jungle fatigues and boots were still limited issue at this point.
• Class B Khaki shirt and trousers in excellent condition. The shirt is 1956 dated and has SGT chevrons machine sewn on the sleeves. It is laundry stamped in several places with Gray’s ID number. The Trousers are 1952 dated and also marked in several places with Gray’s ID number
• Paperwork Copies:
o General Order for Gray’s Silver Star including the full citation
o Western Union Telegram informing SGT Gray’s wife that her husband has been killed in action
o Two documents detailing SGT Gray’s personal possessions (including weight) that were being sent back to the United States. Note: the uniform pieces in this group were among these items.
o Customs sheet for SGT Gray’s personnel effects
o A sheet containing copies of local newspaper clippings about SGT Gray’s heroism and death
o Letters of condolence from President Johnson, General Abrams, General Westmorleand, General Williamson, Stanley Resor (Secretary Of The Army), the Army Relief Society, Air Vice Marshal Nguyen-Cao-Ky, and CPT Frederick G. Henchell (Gray’s Commanding Officer).
o Copies of military records from NARA
The items were purchased directly from SGT Gray’s children. This group has impeccable provenance.
This group is SOLD
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July 29th, 2007 admin
This is a 1st pattern OG-107 utility shirt worn by SGT Richard Vanderzwalm. Vanderzwalm served multiple tours in Southeast Asia with Special Forces and SOG. This shirt dates to when he was a heavy weapons instructor at Camp A-236 (Lac Thien) from 02/1966 to 02/1967.
As a SSGT, Vanderzwalm also had a tour at FOB-3 in Khe Sanh, where he received a Bronze Star for Valor while on a patrol near hill 471 with Spike Team Bear (CCN) on 02/04/1968.
After OCS, CPT Vanderzwalm was the Detachment CO for Project Unity at camp Lo T-541 (46th SFGA) in 10/1972. He also served on a TDY team from 1st SFGA at FTT-1 in Thailand.
The shirt is textbook with early tan jump wings that turn creamy white after repeated washings. There are shadows on the sleeves from former specialist rank. All other insignia is original to the garment.
********SOLD********
This is a first pattern OG-107 pattern utility attributed to SP4 Kenneth M. Madsen. Madsen was a medic with 77th GP at camp FA-4/61 Vientiane/Dong Hene, Laos during Operation Hot Foot (2nd rotation) from 12/14/1959 to 06/11/1960.
Hot Foot was the early advance party before being redesignated Operation White Star in 04/19/1961.
The shirt is in nice shape with the exception of a few rust spots from storage. It has the early khaki US jump wings that turn creamy white after repeated washings. The squared off specialist insignia is appropriate for a late 1950’s uniform. A nice example of an early advisor shirt.
*********SOLD*********
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July 27th, 2007 admin
Here is a WWII airborne exhibited from my personal collection. It is not for sale.
This uniform was worn by the Battalion Surgeon for the 466th PFA (17th Airborne). He jumped near Wesel, Germany on March 24, 1945 during Operation Varsity and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal for his actions on this day. When the 17th Airborne disbanded, he went to the 463rd PFA (101st Airborne), then the 456th PFA (82nd Airborne). This veteran is credited with creating an irrigation device for eye wounds that is still used by medical personnel in the field today.
Note the star on his jump wings and the sewn on ribbon bar. To view more images of this group, go the collection gallery. The group includes his overseas cap, Ike jacket, trousers, belt, paperwork, photos, and the jump boots that he wore on the Varsity jump.
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July 21st, 2007 admin
Here is a WWII uniform from my personal collection. Is is not for sale.
This uniform was worn by a Tec 5 in the First Special Service Force. He was a scout (MOS 761) attached to headquarters and did reconnaissance for the three regiments. His separation record describes his duties as, “Served as a scout for infantry troops in combat with enemy in both European and Pacific theaters of operations. Patrolled enemy territory in order to obtain information concerning strength and positions of enemy units. Noted terrain features for combat purposes. Reported to S-2 and S-3 offices and made necessary changes on maps and records. Served on Aleutian Islands, in Cassino, and on Anzio Beachhead.”
This soldier was Fort Harrison (Helena, Montana) from the beginning. His diary lists his arrival date as August 4th, 1942. Harrison was where the FSSF was formed and training before being sent to kiska.
He received his Combat Infantry Badge December 5, 1944 (for La Difensa) and a Purple Heart for wounds received at Mussolini Canal.
The uniform group consists of:
• Class A blouse (shirt and necktie are props for the photo)
• Overseas cap w/ Force braid
• Trousers and belt
• Discharge papers
• Diaries
• Wood carving from Aleutians
• Photographs
• Beachhead News papers from Anzio
• Letter opener made from two FSSF “fat tail” patches
• Fort Harrison pillow case
• FSSF Unit History
• Print of the FSSF monument in Helena, MT
• Marble memento from a FSSF reunion
• Kiska Booklet
• Hard Cover book about Anzio
• Ephemera and other documents
Click here to see images
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