Photo of unknown US Paratrooper

[kradman]

Picked up this photo of a unknown US Paratrooper

[RH1941]

Nice photo

[Tank Destroyer]

Cool pick up

[Gunny Hartmann]

I like it.

[BlackCat1982]

He’s a glider rider rather than paratrooper isn’t he?

[Gunny Hartmann]

He’s a glider rider rather than paratrooper isn’t he?

Glider badge on his cap but wearing normal Para wings?

[Rakkasan187]

The combination glider/airborne garrison cap insignia I believe was established in 1944. Prior to this date Glider qualified personnel wore the glider patch and paratroopers wore the parachute patch on their garrison caps.

There were also an Officer version and an enlisted version of the glider insignia and later the glider/parachutist insignia. In order to show that the glider is always moving forward there are 2 versions..

The glider facing the right was the Officer version and the glider facing the left was the enlisted version..

Here are some examples of the Glider patch and parachutist insignia that were separate and the later combined insignia..

Smitty

[AZPhil]

Great photo.
And awesome info Smitty. I didn't know there was a different version to differentiate O's and E's.


Another day, Another thing learned here!!

Thank you!!

Semper Fi
Phil

[Watchdog]

The combination glider/airborne garrison cap insignia I believe was established in 1944. Prior to this date Glider qualified personnel wore the glider patch and paratroopers wore the parachute patch on their garrison caps.

There were also an Officer version and an enlisted version of the glider insignia and later the glider/parachutist insignia. In order to show that the glider is always moving forward there are 2 versions..

The glider facing the right was the Officer version and the glider facing the left was the enlisted version..

Here are some examples of the Glider patch and parachutist insignia that were separate and the later combined insignia..

Smitty

Yep, that's pretty much how I understand it and the wing is clearly para not glider. The medal ribbon doesn't help either if I am correct that it is The American Campaign Medal (one of the few I recognise without reference) because that was an early war introduction wasn't it?
The only SSI visible being on the left sleeve is of course not the commonly called "combat patch" and I don't recognise what is visible as a light circle on a darker square (I can't discern any motif) especially amongst airborne units and must he not be airborne rather than just para qualified because of the cap patch? So, I am struggling to date the pic or attribute it to a unit.

Definately one for you Smitty

Regards

Mark

[RH1941]

Looks like an 82nd patch minus the airborne above it. Or a 508th patch both are square with a circle in the middle . Gary