Hello Everyone,
This is Technician 4th grade Cullpepper's Ike jacket.
I mentioned in a reply to another American uniform the other day, that it isn't too uncommon for regulation deviations to exist on original uniforms. Here is proof! I bought this directly from Cullpepper's daughter this last summer, so I can confidently say that this one is the real deal. As you can see, this uniform has a very unusual unit patch configuration, somewhat akin to 509th PIB vets wearing their "Gingerbread Man" insignia on their right sleeves.
The story I was told from the daughter is that he was wounded in the legs and lower abdomen by a mortar round in March 1945 while fighting as an infantryman with the 78th Infantry division. After his recuperation, he was assigned to an engineer company within the 83rd Infantry division, AND then returned home with the 1st Army. Hence the many patches.
Also of note, his ribbon bars are out of order!
Bookmarks