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

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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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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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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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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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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 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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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. Tiger stripe 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 tiger stripe 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.

Price: SOLD

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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 paratrooper who wore this reinforced jump jacket.  Here are my findings:

• 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.

Read WWII Airborne M42 Reinforced Jump Jacket: Part I

Read WWII Airborne M42 Reinforced Jump Jacket: Part II

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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 MACV-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 (Command and Control North) 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.

Price: SOLD