Saved 78th Division Grouping

[jim2]

This is a grouping that belonged to Private Charles R Shepard. These Items were being split up & sold separately by the seller in 3 different auctions. The first was an unusual ike jacket custom made from a 1926 model enlisted tan jacket (maybe used for some sort of occupation duty?). The 2nd was an enlisted jacket, and the 3rd was a 78th history book that came with a suprize. All the seller showed or mentioned was the first page identifying it as belonging to Pvt Shepard. After receiving the book and starting to look through it I noticed that Pvt Shepard wrote in the margins where he had been, where he had seen combat, and where he was wounded. I was glad I was able to save this grouping from being split up & scattered.

 

 

This jacket has 1 hash mark for 6 months overseas. A first army patch on the right sleeve & traces of a 78th division patch on the left.

[jim2]

Here is his enlisted jacket. I added the CIB and the ribbon bar to recreate his awards judging from his writings in the book.

 

[jim2]

Here is the book.

 

 

Here is his info from the 1st page

 

[jim2]

Here he writes of being on mostly patrol duty in the Hurtgen Forest.

 

 

here he write jan 15- march 2. This capter deals with the time he was most active.

 

[jim2]

This one is a map that shows where he performed patrol duty (hurtgen forest), where he 1st saw combat(schwammenauel dam & the town of schmidt), and where he was wounded (the town of vlatten).

 

[2ad82recon]

Nice set Jim.If you ever get a chance to visit the "Bloody Woods" of the Hurtegen Forest ..it will amaze you..it has hardly changed in 60 years.

 

Especially the Kall Trail.There is a good museum in the village of Hurtgen and you can take some great then and now photos...especially the famous picture of the 9th Infantry riding the Tanks through the Dragons Teeth at Roetgen.

 

Nice personal unmessed with 78th set with history and provenance

 

Regards

 

Lloyd

[Jeeper704]

What makes this grouping so great is the personal touch of the GI.

I just loves items like that.

 

I got a grouping from a Veteran who was in the 3rd wave at Omaha and was transferred to the 26th ID just before The Bulge broke out.

If I get around it, I'll post some photos if ok.

[Eric]

Very nice grouping, i like it. It's a shame when people sell groupings in part to get more moneyl

[jim2]

Thanks for the comments guys.

 

2ad82recon, I would love to visit there someday and see all those historical areas.

 

Jeeper704, I also love the personal touch this vet gave the book by documenting his story. I would love to see those photos of that Omaha vet.

 

Eric, I agree it's a shame when sellers split up groupings. In many cases they could get more money if they keep them together.