Operation Varsity
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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Operation Varsity
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
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