This is a seldom found blue lightweight type K2A flight suit, as used by pilots and aircrew personnel during Korea, Vietnam, and the Cold War.  The main zipper is a Conmar made with a vintage “bell shaped” pull.  The light material has a few small pulls/runs in spots, and there are two repairable holes on the back (see pic), where the suit had been hung on a coat hook repeatedly.  It has a black and gold embroidered tag that reads:

Suit, Flying, Very Light

Type K 2-A, Spec. MIL-S-6265

Size Small Short

Drawing No. 8183562-1

Stock No. 8310-785990-433

Order No. AF-19500

W. Foster Sportswear Co. Inc.

U.S. Property

Price: SOLD

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An original 1951 dated canvas T-7 / T-10 pack tray with camouflage 24 foot diameter canopy and suspension lines in complete, uncut condition.  The canopy is in excellent condition with no rips.

The green canvas tray has crisp nomenclature with early machine sewn master jump wings and partially machine sewn name tape (“Harper”).  Everything in as-found condition and being sold for display/collecting purposes only.  Not to be used for jumping without being properly inspected.

Price: SOLD

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I’ve seen WWII era souvenirs and military items with postmark stamps on them, but this shirt is the first time I’ve seen a Korean War era postmark.  The stamp is dated May 10th, 1952 and located inside the shirt just below the collar (see pic).

The shirt is a HBT (herring bone twill) P44 pattern USMC fatique with a soldier’s name (C.H. Evans) stenciled over the breast pocket and nice E-6 chevrons stenciled on the sleeves.  The shirt is in used condition with a few small stains, but nothing that detracts to the displaying or wearing of this item.

The measurements are:

Armpit to Armpit – 24 inches
Top of Collar to Bottom Hem – 30 inches
Shoulder to Shoulder – 18 inches
Armpit to Cuff – 20 inches
Shoulder to Cuff – 23.5 inches

Price: SOLD

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This is a 1950 dated USMC dress blue blouse named to a PFC Leland Wilson.  The blouse is in excellent, used condition.

Price: SOLD

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Offered is an Ike jacket I purchased directly from the veteran several years ago.  The veteran served as a radio operator in HQ (head quarters), 9th F.A. (Field Artillery Regiment), 3rd Army Division.  His dates of service are from 5/12/1952 – 2/09/1954.

The 9th F.A. participated in the following campaigns in Korea:

•    UN Defensive;
•    UN Offensive
•    CCF Intervention
•    First UN Counteroffensive
•    CCF Spring Offensive
•    UN Summer-Fall Offensive
•    Second Korean Winter
•    Korea, Summer-Fall 1952
•    Third Korean Winter
•    Korea, Summer 1953

Here is a great site with information and photos of “The Mighty Ninth” during the Korean War: http://9thfakorea.org/index.html

The Ike jacket is in excellent condition and has WWII era EM/NCO collar ciphers for Artillery, with crossed cannons and “US”.  All the patches are nicely machine sewn on and the 3rd Division patch is on khaki twill.  The Ike is dated 12/16/1944 and is a size “38 R”.  It also has a Korea Campaign Medal ribbon with two bronze campaign stars.

Included is a copy of the FOIA form I received from NARA detailing the veteran’s military service.

Price: Sold

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This uniform was worn by a two-war veteran (WWII and Korea). In WWII, this soldier received Ranger training at the divisional level and was attached to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 398th Infantry Regiment, 100th Division. He was more than likely a Scout. I was able to verify his receipt of the CIB (Combat Infantry Badge) in 1944 from 100th Division General Orders (GO#26).

The Ike jacket is WWII era (dated June 9th, 1944) and has Korean War era SSGT “combat” chevrons, a 100th Division patch, a red Ranger tab, a 4th Army Patch, “US” EM/NCO collar cipher, and a Chemical Corps cipher. The officer quality shirt also has Korean War era SSGT combat chevrons, and a 4th Army patch. The Ike, shirt, and trousers all have the soldier’s laundry ID printed inside. The Ike and shirt have serious moth damage, with concentrations of damage on the lower sleeves and armpits. The trousers also show mothing, but to a lesser extant than the other uniform pieces.

The Vet’s WWII enlisted record is listed at NARA here.

Price: Sold

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This is a grouping of military items I acquired directly from the veteran. He had been a KMAG advisor during the Korean War. This auction includes:

•    3 Overseas caps in excellent condition (green wool, khaki wool, and khaki cotton)

• Officers Class A “Pinks & Greens” w/ Infantry ciphers, DI’s, Lt Rank, and an interesting 5th Division patch w/ a white border.

• Khaki wool officer shirt and trousers with officer rank, three-place ribbon bar, KMAG patch, and AMAZING hand-made South Korean insignia (quilted bullion on velvet).

• Loose, never sewn hand-made Korean shoulder patch in quilted silk embroidery with Korean newspaper on the back. The vet said this piece of insignia was given to him as a gift from the Korean commander he worked with.

•    Dog Tags

• Loose Insignia including: three 5th Army patches, hand embroidered name tape on HBT, three KMAG patches with tabs, machine embroidered 2nd Lt bars on HBT in wax paper envelope, White printed name tape, 5th Division patch.

•    Korean-made swagger stick made from .50 caliber shell and 30-6 shell.

•    Korean-made wood name plaque.

•    2 Recent photos of vet holding his uniform (taken by me).

•    70 original black and white photos from Korea.

Price: SOLD

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This is one of the most extensive paperwork groups I’ve owned.  It contains the vet’s actual 201 file plus plenty of other interesting documents.  Before I detail the contents of this group, I will say this vet had a colorful military career, having received a Bronze Star Medal while serving on the front lines of Korea and a combat medic.  He also had two serious bouts of insubordination resulting Court Marshall trials and disciplinary action.  Both episodes involved alcohol and fist fighting!  The complete trial records for both offenses are included in his paperwork and make for a highly entertaining read.

The group consists of:

•    HBT utility shirt w/ theater-made white name tape, black/gold bevo Army tape, and cut-edge 1st Cavalry shoulder sleeve insignia
•    Sateen utility shirt w/ theater-made white name tape and hand embroidered Combat Medic Badge on HBT material, black/gold bevo Army tape, 24th Infantry shoulder sleeve insignia, and 1st Cavalry shoulder sleeve insignia
•    Set of Dog Tags w/ original surgical tubing over the chain
•    Sterling bracelet engraved with “24th MED BN Soldier of the Week” and “PFC K. DeBerry 3 FEB 50” engraved on the reverse side
•    Three-place ribbon bar w/ Good Conduct, Occupation Medal, and Korea Campaign Medal w/ three Bronze Stars
•    Individual ribbon bars for Korean Campaign (2), Good Conduct, and Bronze Star
•    Lapel pin for Good Conduct Medal
•    3-Ring binder w/ 24 snapshots, 6 ID cards, 55+ pages of documentation including awards, citations (including Bronze Star Medal), certificates, general orders, special orders, etc.  All photos are mounted on acid free board.  Photos and docs are in archival safe protective sheets.
•    Complete 201 file (not sure how he got to keep this)
•    File folder containing Court Marshall records, 4 racy Korea short-timer calendars, discharge certificates, and a bunch of other items.

Price: Sold

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Harold J. Kats was drafted on 11/30/1948 and sent to Fort Riley Kansas for training.  He was later attached to Service Company, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division at Fort Benning, GA then released on 12/11/1949 after being transferred to inactive reserves.

The Korean War broke out in June 1950 and Harold was called up again 9/27/1950 and assigned to Medical Company, 9th Infantry Regiment “Manchus”, 2nd Division at Fort Lewis, WA on 10/05/1950.

The Manchus were the first troops of the Indianhead Division to enter Korea and fought in the following battles:

• Bloody Ridge – (8/18/1951 – 9/5/1951)
• Heartbreak Ridge – (9/13/1951 – 10/15/1951)
• Old Baldy – (6/26/1952 – 8/4/1952)
• Pork Chop Hill – (3/1953 – 7/1953)

Harold was discharged 7/21/1951 with the following decorations and awards:

• Sharpshooter w/ rifle bar
• Combat Medic Badge
• Korean Service Medal w/ one Bronze Service Star
• Bronze Star Medal w/ V Device for “Valor”
• United Nations Service Medal
• Rep of Korea Presidential Unit Citiation
• National Defense Service Medal
• Army Commendation Medal
• Army Occupation Medal

All attempts to obtain Harold’s Bronze Star Medal citation were unsuccessful because his service record was lost in the NARA fire in 1972.  Based on Harold’s time spent in Korea, I suspect it was for valor exhibited during the Battle of Bloody Ridge.

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