Invasion Arrowhead
The 6th Infantry fought hard in New Guinea and the Philippines during WWII and judging by campaign ribbons, this veteran was present for all the fighting. The jacket is Australian made and 1944 dated with the name “Kelly” marked inside with pen. The insignia includes:
- “US” collar cipher w/ smooth back clutches
- Screw-back Infantry collar cipher with an “F” to denote F Company
- Two enamel DIs (Distinctive Insignia). One is pin-back the other screw-back. “Semper Primus” is 1st Infanty Regiment, which was attached to the 6th Division during WWII.
- Sterling CIB (Combat Infantry Badge) with silver smooth back clutches
- Ribbon bars for: WWII Victory, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign (1 invasion arrowhead, 2 campaign stars), American Theater, Philippine Campaign (1 star), American Defense Service, and Good Conduct.
- Ruptured Duck
- Staff Sgt Chevrons
- 4 Overseas Stripes
- 6th Infantry Division Patch
- Pacific Theater Command Patch
I did a google search for “F Company 1st Infantry 6th Division” and found a WWII 6th Infantry website that has a photo of a Jack Kelley from F Co. 1st Regiment posing by a jeep in HBT coveralls at Camp Young, CA. There is plenty of research potential with this Aussie-made Ike Jacket!
Price: $150.00 (USD)
Posted in Militaria For Sale, Uniforms, WWII US Militaria | No Comments »
Invasion Arrowhead
This uniform group is an exceptional offering to a member of the famed ‘Devil’s Brigade’, the First Special Service Force. John P. Grantz was a member of 5-3 and is listed as such in the roster in the official First Special Service Force unit history, written by Robert D. Burhans (p. 343).
The WWII era Ike jacket shows minor wear, with a few tiny rub spots and holes, but they are small and can hardly be seen. All insignia is original to the jacket and has never been removed. The 3 place ribbon bar includes: EAME (European-African-Middle Eastern) campaign ribbon with an invasion arrowhead plus 4 campaign stars, a Pacific campaign ribbon with one star (for the assault on Kiska), and a Good Conduct ribbon. The red/white/blue Force shoulder cord is magnificent along with the enlisted crossed arrows disc. The FSSF shoulder patch is a known variant that was made and purchased in Nice, France.
Both the jacket and cap are named to Grantz. The O/S cap is textbook with the correct FSSF braid and tape to the piping.
Another stunning part of this group (aside from the theater made patch), is Grantz’s V-42 knife. This knife is in superb condition as is its leather sheath. He must have sent this knife home rather than bringing it overseas. The scabbard shows some minor rust on the rivet heads, but is otherwise excellent. It still retains its original length, as many of these were cut down.
You would be hard pressed to find another named Force group with its original V-42 knife!
Price: $11,500 (USD)
Posted in Groupings, Militaria For Sale, Uniforms, WWII US Militaria, Weapons | 1 Comment »
Invasion Arrowhead
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)
Posted in Airborne, WWII US Militaria | 2 Comments »
Invasion Arrowhead
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.
The group includes:
- Officers overseas cap w/ para glider patch and pin-back Captain bars
- Ike jacket with the following attached:
- 17th Airborne patch
- 82nd Airborne patch
- Officer Medical ciphers
- Officer “US” ciphers
- Pin-back Captain bars
- Presidential Unit Citation
- Sterling Pin-back Combat Medic Badge
- Belgium Fourragere (shoulder cord)
- French Fourragere (shoulder cord)
- Three-place sewn on ribbon bar with Bronze Star Medal (For Valor), American Campaign, ETO Campaign w/ 1 Invasion Arrowhead (for Operation Varsity) and 3 Campaign Stars (Rhineland, Ardennes, Central Europe)
- Red Wool Parachute Oval (for Artillery)
- Pinback “Sterling” marked jump wings with a combat star affixed (for Operation Varsity)
- Three overseas stripes
- Wool trousers w/ name penned in two places (see pics)
- Tan web belt
- Jump Boots w/ vet’s name inked on both tongues (see pic). They are size 10 1/2 D and dated July 26, 1943.
- Original print of veteran posing beside his uniform
- Copies of WWII images of veteran posing with his family
- Copy of Separation Record
- Copy of General Order for Bronze Star Medal
- Copy of the write up for the 466th PFA’s recommendation for the Unit Citation, in which the veteran is mentioned several times
- Copy of General Order for Combat Medic Badge
- Copies of Special/Transfer Orders
- Photocopies of Unit related articles the veteran kept
Posted in Airborne, WWII US Militaria | No Comments »
Invasion Arrowhead
Here is a WWII uniform from my personal collection. It is not for sale.
This uniform grouping was worn by a PFC in Service Company 401st GIF, 101st Airborne. The vet was a post D-Day replacement and fought in Holland (Operation Market Garden), where he was seriously wounded and spent the next year and a half in hospitals recovering.
His uniform has a three-place ribbon bar an with ETO ribbon w/ two campaign stars, Good Conduct ribbon, and Purple Heart ribbon. The ribbon bar pin is broken and the insignia was sewn to the uniform upside down, causing the ribbons to be in reverse order, but that is how the uniform was received from the vet, so it was left as is.
Included with the group are several V-Mail and regular letters he sent home, a 101st Airborne unit history book and booklet, and recent photos of the vet holding the uniform pieces. His overseas cap has an interesting para/glider patch variant.
Posted in Airborne, WWII US Militaria | 7 Comments »
