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!

Price: SOLD

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