jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Share #1 Posted January 21, 2008 This is a artillery officers dress blue uniform that I had purchased from a fellow forum member. The uniform is named to Vincent (went by bill) W Bezich. Col Bezich was an 1st Sgt with the 501st from Jan 43 to Apr 45, and then went on to become an officer. Col Bezich fought in Normandy,Holland, & Bastogne. He was wounded 3 times in WWII. Post war he became an Artillery officer and although he did not go to Korea he did serve in Vietnam. This was a uniform he probably wore from the late 50's up until his retirement in the early 1970's. This uniform came void of any insignia and I am in the process of restoring it. heres the uniform: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #2 Posted January 21, 2008 The label on the jacket: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #3 Posted January 21, 2008 Heres his official file photo: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #4 Posted January 21, 2008 Heres a list of his awards: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #5 Posted January 21, 2008 More: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #6 Posted January 21, 2008 Still more: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #7 Posted January 21, 2008 A close up of his ribbons: Whats interesting is that even though he was entitled to the Belgian & French fourragere he did not wear them. He was also entitled to an aircraft crewman's badge but did not wear it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted January 21, 2008 Share #8 Posted January 21, 2008 Small World! I think this is your guy. Bezich is such a unique name, I could never forget it. I got this off Ebay years ago when the Vietnam section was reasonable. The seller had 3 or 4 auction listing items from the estate sale. I only got one of the jackets but I think it was the best. This was his jacket as an LTC. I know this becasue the original rank and BOS are embroidered directly underneath the existing machine made tabs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 21, 2008 Author Share #9 Posted January 21, 2008 Small World! I think this is your guy. Bezich is such a unique name, I could never forget it. I got this off Ebay years ago when the Vietnam section was reasonable. The seller had 3 or 4 auction listing items from the estate sale. I only got one of the jackets but I think it was the best. This was his jacket as an LTC. I know this becasue the original rank and BOS are embroidered directly underneath the existing machine made tabs. Wow it is a small world. I have no doubt that this was his. that is a great piece I love the custom embroidery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted January 22, 2008 Share #10 Posted January 22, 2008 Jim, Please keep us informed on your restoration project. I'd love to see how it develops. Cheers, Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 22, 2008 Author Share #11 Posted January 22, 2008 Well here is his re-created ribbon bar (minus devices) so far. I spaced them apart because looking at his photo that was how he pinned on his ribbons. What do you guys think so far? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItemCo16527 Posted January 22, 2008 Share #12 Posted January 22, 2008 Well here is his re-created ribbon bar (minus devices) so far. I spaced them apart because looking at his photo that was how he pinned on his ribbons. What do you guys think so far? Coming along beautifully so far. Good work, Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 23, 2008 Author Share #13 Posted January 23, 2008 Jeff C thanks for the thumbs up. Here is the ribbon bar updated with devices(except the palm's for the croix de guerre's). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItemCo16527 Posted January 23, 2008 Share #14 Posted January 23, 2008 Jeff C thanks for the thumbs up. Here is the ribbon bar updated with devices(except the palm's for the croix de guerre's). Good work, Jim I especially like that you have the Oak Leaves flanking the "V" on the Bronze Star ribbon, exactly like they are in the picture of Colonel Bezich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted January 23, 2008 Share #15 Posted January 23, 2008 Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricardo Posted January 23, 2008 Share #16 Posted January 23, 2008 Well done!! Best regards, Ricardo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share #17 Posted January 24, 2008 Good work, Jim I especially like that you have the Oak Leaves flanking the "V" on the Bronze Star ribbon, exactly like they are in the picture of Colonel Bezich. Thanks Jeff I tried to recreate it just like the photo. Very nice! Thanks River Patrol Well done!! Best regards, Ricardo Thanks ricardo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmcraidergirl Posted January 27, 2008 Share #18 Posted January 27, 2008 Looks super! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4STARCHRIS Posted January 27, 2008 Share #19 Posted January 27, 2008 What a great job of trying to not only recreate but to stay as close to the original photo as possible. Thanks for sharing this great project. Are the mounted on individual ribbon bars, metal, plastic? 4starchris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim2 Posted January 27, 2008 Author Share #20 Posted January 27, 2008 What a great job of trying to not only recreate but to stay as close to the original photo as possible. Thanks for sharing this great project.Are the mounted on individual ribbon bars, metal, plastic? 4starchris 4starchris thanks for the compliment, I not only wanted to restore the history, but do it correctly & am very pleased with the outcome so far. The ribbons are mounted on metal & are all 60's vintage. Looks super! Thanks usmcraidergirl, I am glad to be able to return it's history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted January 29, 2008 Share #21 Posted January 29, 2008 Jim, Did the previous owner have any other uniforms from Bezich? I know it's a long shot but I guess his stuff got scattered to the winds! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c d cox Posted June 2, 2010 Share #22 Posted June 2, 2010 I knew Bill Bezich when he was a young Cpt in 1952 he was a great officer and tru gentelman. His troops came first. When we were in the field Bill and the 1st sgt were the last ones to eat he would also engage in contact sports with the EM. I still have unit pictures with Bill in them. By the way his name came from Yougo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted June 3, 2010 Share #23 Posted June 3, 2010 In your records, is this the Bezich from Minnesota in his later years?? Possibly dying here in the state? If so, a box of his items came out of a flea market in Minnesota and there are other things out there if memory serves me correctly. :think: Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
River Patrol Posted June 3, 2010 Share #24 Posted June 3, 2010 Any pictures of him in the field or elsewhere would be really great! Thanks Steve I knew Bill Bezich when he was a young Cpt in 1952 he was a great officer and tru gentelman. His troops came first. When we were in the field Bill and the 1st sgt were the last ones to eat he would also engage in contact sports with the EM. I still have unit pictures with Bill in them. By the way his name came from Yougo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beretverde Posted July 10, 2011 Share #25 Posted July 10, 2011 This is a artillery officers dress blue uniform that I had purchased from a fellow forum member. The uniform is named to Vincent (went by bill) W Bezich. Col Bezich was an 1st Sgt with the 501st from Jan 43 to Apr 45, and then went on to become an officer. Col Bezich fought in Normandy,Holland, & Bastogne. He was wounded 3 times in WWII. Post war he became an Artillery officer and although he did not go to Korea he did serve in Vietnam. This was a uniform he probably wore from the late 50's up until his retirement in the early 1970's. This uniform came void of any insignia and I am in the process of restoring it. heres the uniform: Col. Bezich and my dad were good friends while stationed together at Ft. Meade Md. Sadly, Col. Bezich passed away in 2003 and is buried at Arlington Nat'l. Cemetery. Col. Bezich told me the story of him jumping into Normandy as a 19y/o 1sgt., getting wounded and other exploits. He was very humble and a true hero. My dad loved him like a brother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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