Jump Wings
This jungle jacket was worn by a 173rd Airborne Brigade troop attached to B Co., 2nd Bn., 503rd PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment). The veteran served two tours in Vietnam with the 173rd and was wounded in 11/1966.
The jacket is a “1st pattern” with shiny exposed buttons, waist tabs, gas flap, and epaulets. It is a size short-medium and is 1963 dated. It has “sandwiched” 173rd shoulder sleeve insignia to denote current service in the 173rd, as well as a prior combat tour. The name tape is theater-made and the Army tape is printed. The Combat Infantry Badge and jump wings are also theater made.
The jump wings have a gold star embroidered on the canopy riders to denote participation in a combat jump with the 173rd on February 22, 1967 (Operation Junction City). SP4 Payne is listed on the Junction City jump manifest for this operation (GO 444, March 12, 1967).
The left breast pocket has a silk woven South Vietnamese Airborne Qualification patch, commonly seen worn by early 173rd troops. The breast pocket was partially removed so the patch could be sewn on while still having a functional pocket. Afterward, it was machine resewn back on (see pic). When examining the jacket carefully, you can see the Specialist sleeve rank is sewn over a faint outline of removed PFC chevrons, due to promotion in rank.
Some of SP4 Payne’s awards and decorations include:
- Purple Heart Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal with 2/ Bronze Service Stars
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm
- Parachutist Badge with Combat Star (for Junction City)
- Combat Infantry Badge
Posted in Vietnam War Militaria | 3 Comments »
Jump Wings
The Vietnam veteran who wore this jacket was the Commander of A Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in 1969. He is mentioned in the Tropical Lighting News (Vol. 4 No. 35) on September 1, 1969 in the following article:
Tay Ninh – Driving off a fierce, pre-dawn sapper attack on their position, men of Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, killed 21 North Vietnamese soldiers. The battle took place 10 miles northeast of Tay Ninh City at Fire Support Base Saint Barbara, the “French Fort.”
Action started shortly after 3:00 AM during a heavy morning rain. The sound of rocket-propelled grenades and incoming mortars broke through the drone of the downpour. Taking cover in bunkers, the 4/9 Manchus kept careful vigil on the trail, thick grass in front of the bunker line.
Soon after the initial barrage, NVA sappers burst out of the grass and stormed the berm, tossing grenades and satchel charges as they charged. Most of the enemy grenades and satchel charges were thrown back at the sappers.
The enemy tried to come over the high northeast wall of the fire support base, built on the site of a French fort during the colonial era. None of them got any further than the top of the wall before being blown off by the accurate firepower of the Manchus.
“The enemy got on the top of the bunker line but that was as far as he got. I saw one on top of my bunker and immediately shot him, throwing him back outside the perimeter,” commented platoon leader First Lieutenant Shane M. Davis of Kansas City, Mo.
At break of dawn the battle was over. Twenty-one North Vietnamese, all member of sapper teams, lay dead around the perimeter.
“The men fought hard. There sapper teams are well trained and tough.” said Alpha Company commander, Captain Freddie Capps Jr., of Tucson, Ariz.
When a sweep was conducted, the Manchus found two AK47 assault rifles, two RPG launchers and six RPG rounds. They also picked up five sachel charges that never got to their intended targets.
The jacket is a third pattern poplin with matte finish buttons. It is a size Small-Regular and 1967 dated. It is in immaculate condition and must have been his garrison jacket because it is completely badged out and crisp. It has theater made name and Army tapes, jump wings, CIB, a subdued twill 25th Infantry shoulder sleeve insignia, and a theater-made Ranger tab. All the insignia is sewn just as you would want to see on a jungle jacket.
If you look very closely, you will see that both the name and Army tapes had been sewn parallel with the slant breast pockets, but they were changed to straight across. This must have been switched immediately because the marks are virtually non existent unless you really examine the jacket. I contacted the webmaster for the Manchus and he actually knew Capt Capps and mentioned that Capps had served a previous tour with another unit prior to being Alpha Company commander.
This is a great, researchable jacket to a well decorated unit. I seldom find jackets badged out this nicely.
Price: Sold
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Jump Wings
Original WWII issued USMC Paramarine wool Class A blouse and trousers. Blouse has a twill variant shoulder sleeve insignia, sterling marked pinback jump wings, PFC chevrons, matching EGA’s, and a two-place ribbon bar with a Pacific Theater ribbon and an American Campaign ribbon.
The trooper’s name (P.C. Hammons) is clearly inked inside the blouse and trousers and his name is verified on the Paramarine roster. It is difficult to find original WWII Airborne items. It is extremely difficult to find WWII Paramarine items, especially a clean uniform named to the vet!
Price: $850.00 (USD)
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Jump Wings
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: SOLD
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Jump Wings
This is a Vietnam War era first pattern OG-107 pattern utility shirt was used by 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 re designated 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 Special Forces advisor shirt.
Price: SOLD
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