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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This entry was posted on Sunday, June 29th, 2008 at 9:03 pm and is filed under Airborne, WWII US Militaria. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.