Very nice Smitty! Thank you for sharing your collection!
Very nice Smitty! Thank you for sharing your collection!
You're welcome Carpediem...
My pleasure
Smitty
Hi Smitty
First time I have seen a 187th DUI and Japanese made to boot , extremely rare , I had to look at the post twice!!
I do like variations including the ovals, post 2 has embroidered on cotton twill , post #3 looks like a cloth either way both different .
Man this great to see ,the only point I would make is that the 187th SSI is not a manufacturers variation as such.The khaki cotton twill was not cut right back to the edge as was the process during and post WWII 1941-50.(each patch was hand cut from the sheets they were embroidederd on). During the 50's some manufacturers left the cotton twill showing.
Phill
Phill,
Once again, appreciate your insight and information..
Smitty
Uniform # 4
Here is a nice German Made Ike Jacket and Trousers. Ribbon bar has an Army Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Korean Service with 1 campaign star and the United Nations ribbon. On the opposite side is the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. You will also notice the collar brass is domed and has crossed rifles for the infantry. Pin back sterling US jump wings which are holding in place the 187th oval. Once gain this oval was not sewn to the uniform.
You will notice the makers tag on the inside of the Ike says US EUCOM, United States European Command and the uniform was made at Frankfurt am Main in 1949. The pants are also German made and have similar information on the makers tag.
Enjoy these pictures and I will get another uniform ready..
The next uniform is one of my favorites and I think everyone will enjoy it...
Smitty
What so good about this collection is the typical varied way the Americans adorned their uniforms with official , unofficial insignia (official SSI were US schiffli embroidered as per the one pictured) add to that we have seen a rare DUI , now a German made Ike c 1949.
You are also seeing the new larger size olive drab on blue cotton twill (1951-56) chevrons, these replaced the unpopular smaller goldenlite series(1948-51). The rank is of "buck"Sergeant.
Smitty I really enjoy seeing these pieces of history , can't wait to see more Jewels in the crown.
Phill
Uniform # 5
Here is another uniform that has a lot of what would be expected on a 1950's era Ike jacket. This Soldier was assigned to the 11th Airborne Division and his former wartime service (combat patch) was the 187th in Korea. You will notice on this particular Ike Jacket the use of 2 sets of enlisted collar brass on the lapels of the uniform. This was a authorized method of wearing the US and branch of service insignia. IN this case the Soldier was assigned to the infantry. You will also see the common 3 place ribbon bar for the Korean conflict, the National Defense ribbon, the Korean Service Ribbon with Invasion arrowhead and 2 campaign stars and the United Nations Service ribbon. The Soldier was also awarded the Combat Infantryman's Badge and he wears the basic parachutist wings. You will notice that he does not have an oval under the wings which may indicate once assigned to the 11th Airborne he was not on jump status or he simply has not added one. The shoulder epaulettes show the first approved Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) for the 187th and there are green leadership tabs worn to indicate the Soldier is a combat leader. The shoulder patches are the 11th Airborne Division with attached AIRBORNE tab and the 187th Combat patch, This patch being one of the variations authorized for wear. You will notice this insignia bears the 187 in the wing, other variations of this patch do not have the 187 in the wings..
The quartermasters tag on the inside of the uniform indicates this is a 1946 Pattern Date, Jacket, OD, Wool
Enjoy this uniform and I will get out a few more for you all to see..
Smitty
For me its great to see so many 187th Shoulder Sleeve Insignia variations in use.
Every time you post a uniform I learn something new.
cheers
Phill
Uniform # 6
After a bit of a delay, here is another 187th Uniform from the back of the storage closet for your viewing pleasure today.
This uniform is that of a corporal and you will notice one of the variations of shoulder rank that was authorized and approved for wear during this time period. The Army at this time was going through many transitions, the desegregation of the Army, the variations of shoulder sleeve chevrons for Non Commissioned Officers and Specialists and variations in types of enlisted collar brass being worn. This particular uniform addresses some of these 1950's era changes.
The Ribbon bar consists of the Army of Occupation ribbon (red and black ribbon) which was authorized for US military personnel who were assigned to occupation duties in both Germany and Japan at the end of WW2. I was awarded the Army Occupation medal for my service in Berlin from 1986-1990. In 1994 the US Army left Berlin and the Occupation Medal was no longer issued. The next ribbon is the Korean Service with 2 campaign stars, the United Nations ribbon and then on the top row, the Army Good Conduct ribbon (Awarded for 3 years of honorable service) and the Bronze Star medal. The Soldier also wears the Combat Infantryman's badge.
The Domed collar disk with branch of service is unique since it identifies the company and unit the Solider was assigned to. In this case he was a member of "I" Company 187th Infantry. These type of collar disks have been in the Army system for many years, identifying Company level and higher designations. Currently the Army does not designate down to the Company level, however you will see many units with the numbered regimental system still in use today. When I was assigned to the 187th in the early 80's, the collar disks I wore were crossed rifles with 187 above the rifles, similar to what is worn on this uniform, minus the company.
The jump wings are standard US Made clutch back wings, very common in this time period and the oval once again is the first approved oval for the 187th.
The makers tag inside the uniform states it is a Jacket, Wool, OD with a pattern date of May 24, 1946 and a manufacturing date of May 29, 1947..
Once again feedback and comments welcome. I am sure our own Phill Locket will add some information which is always greatly appreciated to add to the topic.
Enjoy this uniform and I will prepare another for posting
Best Regards
Smitty
Gidday Smitty and team
You know I can't resist such a time capsule of an era known as the golden years of insignia usage and wear-the 1950's!!
Every Ike that Smitty has posted, in my eyes, has subtle nuances that pertain to typical individual GI look and feel ,again it is rare to see so many 187th Ike's in such a short period, c1950-55 with all the variations.
Smitty I think you underestimate the unique domed collar disk , if I recall these were private purchase (adding 187 and Co.), as the official usage was for standard BOS insignia and although they were issued from the last days of WWII-c1956(??), adding specific companies was an Individual's choice up to the 1970's. Also note when out of CONUS, it then reverts to local commanders discretion-so you will see plenty of leeway.
Just a word on the rank structure for forum members:
From 1948-1951 the army introduced the small 2 inch wide stripes known as "Goldenlite series." This was to replace the wider WWII era 3 inch wide style.
This was done due to the fact that at end of WWII , it was common that a serving high ranking enlisted individual could have a whole arm plasted with his or her service ie 9 x 3 year hash bars,7x6 month overseas service , Rank and SSI!!
Below was the new Sergeant E5 Grade with 1 rocker: Dark Blue on Gold ,combat and Gold on Dark Blue non combat. These were replaced by the OD on dark Blue twill 1951-57.
Note the OD on twill SGT stripe was deliberately cut down.
The Goldenlite series was not popular and as you see in the uniforms posted, WWII manufactured chevrons were also used, before, during and after the Korean war until the rank restructuring and new Army Green chevrons were introduced c 1957.
Attachment 1104336
Smitty it is always good to see how the uniforms were adorned , shows the individualistic style each GI had made up in those days.
cheers
Phill
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