OSS detachment 101 Burma Bar

[501stGeronimo]

Where were the beloved "burma bars" worn on the uniforms of the US soldiers that fought in Detachment 101. Or were they worn considering they were made for the guerrilla fighters that fought with our men.

[Tonomachi]

I've seen them on period uniforms worn just like a combat infantry badge. I have no idea if they were added later as I've never come across a period photograph of anyone wearing one on a uniform. I've seen them worn above the ribbons on the left side or on the left pocket flap if there was a jump wing above the ribbons. My understanding was that they were manufactured for the Jingpaw Rangers but a number of OSS personnel helped themselves and wore them on their uniforms like a CIB even thought it was never authorized. Many years ago I saw one belonging to Dr. (formerly Colonel) Carl Eifler who was the first commanding officer of Detachment 101. It was in a shadow box along with his ribbons. I seem to recall him telling me that that the burma bars were made in India and something about OSS personnel not being allowed to wear the CIB so they came up with the burma bar or something along those lines. Insignia wasn't that important to him so I didn't ask a lot questions. There was no Jingpaw Ranger patch in his display which I had to ask him about. He knew nothing about this patch so my guess is that this patch came about after Colonel Eifler was injured on a mission and returned stateside and the command was taken over by Ray Peers.

[501stGeronimo]

What about a Marine?

[Tonomachi]

I guess it is possible but I've never seen a period USMC uniform with a burma bar. My understanding is that the Marines worked with the Navy under SACO who were mostly operating behind the lines in occupied China. SACO was in China before the OSS was in Burma. SACO eventually became part of the OSS for I think it was logistical reasons so I guess it would have been possible for a Marine to get his hands on a burma bar.

[dogfacedsoldier]

Try the book, U.S. Army Rangers and Special Forces of WWII. Special Recon Bn.(OSS) people tended to wear CIB's.OSS officers and other personnel were pushed into Merrill's Marauders and the MARS Task Force, due to the need for officers. I read a book about an OSS officer who served in the MARS Task Force, He said several of them served in the unit. The books has many pictures and info on special units. Special Recon served in both Europe and Burma.and at other places in the CBI. All of the personnel in the book shown were Army.

 

Jon

[501stGeronimo]

Yeah, I picked up a grouping to John C Bradley who was a 1st Lt. in the Marines and was in Detachment 101.

[Bill Scott]

Check with Les Hughes at insigne.org he knows more about the OSS and their insignia than almost anyone.Scotty

[501stGeronimo]

I know everything is original, I just didnt know if they actually wore them or not.

[rr01]

_{I know this book won't give you the references you are looking for but it is excellant for historical background: Into Siam, Underground Kingdom; 1945 by Nicol Smith & Blake Clark. Good luck.}

_{I had to edit this because as I put the other back on the shelf I saw this one: Behind Japanese Lines, With the OSS in Burma; 1979 by Richard Dunlap. A bit newer so the memories may have faded. Good luck.}

_{One more time because this one just came in today: Burma Surgeon; 1943 by LtCol Gordon Seagrave, MC. Predates the OSS in Burma but probably more good background. Good luck.}

[Tonomachi]

Yeah, I picked up a grouping to John C Bradley who was a 1st Lt. in the Marines and was in Detachment 101.

Just to let you know I have a roster of Detachment 101 and John C Bradley is not listed.

[501stGeronimo]

haha I beg to differ, your roster is not complete, he is on here!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oss-101.com%2Froster-abc.html&ei=8JqRUeD8N-i7ygH1o4CoCQ&usg=AFQjCNFMeccelUX8TXKt9lSnkJj8ka65VQ&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWc&cad=rja

[501stGeronimo]

and here:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CEcQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ibiblio.org%2Fhyperwar%2FUSMC%2FUSMC-OSS%2FUSMC-OSS-Reprise.html&ei=dJuRUaz4ONStyAHbkYHQDw&usg=AFQjCNHTahpu9phr-JDogjBHZCkslSDYxQ&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWc&cad=rja

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0CEwQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mccia.org%2Fhistory%2Fcisec1.htm&ei=dJuRUaz4ONStyAHbkYHQDw&usg=AFQjCNGVqtiKANmdLM2zWvmrOLY1aKjI1Q&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWc&cad=rja

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legacy.com%2Fobituaries%2Fwashingtonpost%2Fobituary.aspx%3Fpage%3Dlifestory%26pid%3D153755802&ei=oZuRUbn4JaaZyAGN24H4DA&usg=AFQjCNH4FhSqzwanV6shw5UOSB8LED0cyA&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWc

So yes, he was detachment 101 and I purchased it from the estate after he passed away in 2011. Thanks

[501stGeronimo]

and here:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CDUQFjAC&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ossreborn.com%2Ffiles%2Fossmedals.pdf&ei=eZyRUYWPE8PVyQHA8YCwDA&usg=AFQjCNGBDtgZcNmZn_CM1jQ3VgdEPgNI7Q&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWc

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&sqi=2&ved=0CD8QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.specialforcesroh.com%2Fshowthread.php%3F36012-Bradley-John-C&ei=eZyRUYWPE8PVyQHA8YCwDA&usg=AFQjCNHD_9SQhOeCXDds__ZWEk68JI66GQ&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWc&cad=rja

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&ved=0CD0QFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marinechat.com%2Fforums%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D29080&ei=wZyRUdTED4jFyAHX94HQAw&usg=AFQjCNHuXaN0wLo7be5RS3HsRSPrS2Y2wg

[BigJohn#3RD]

Hate to say it I can't see what your talking about. Is there some type of cloaking device on this?

John

[501stGeronimo]

http://arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ShowFullRecord?tab=init/showFullDescriptionTabs/details&mn=resultsDetailPageModel&goto=0&%24searchId=6&%24partitionIndex=0&%24digiSummaryPageModel.targetModel=true&%24DateFilter.detailId=-1&%24resultsDetailPageModel.search=true&%24locationFilter.name=locationFilter&%24showArchivalDescriptionsTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24resultsSummaryPageModel.targetModel=true&%24resultsPartitionPageModel.search=true&%24highlight=false&%24levelOfDescriptionFilter.name=levelOfDescriptionFilter&%24levelOfDescriptionFilter.detailId=-1&%24showFullAuthorityTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24showFullDescriptionTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24digiDetailPageModel.currentPage=0&%24resultsPartitionPageModel.targetModel=true&%24resultsSummaryPageModel.pageSize=10&%24showAuthorityResultsTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24DateFilter.name=DateFilter&%24submitId=3&%24digiDetailPageModel.resultPageModel=true&%24resultsDetailPageModel.currentPage=0&%24documentTypeFilter.detailId=0&%24resultsDetailPageModel.pageSize=1&%24sort=RELEVANCE_ASC&%24documentTypeFilter.name=documentTypeFilter&%24locationFilter.detailId=-1

All these PROVE that this John Bradley is with Detachment 101. Thanks and kind regards

[501stGeronimo]

No, it shows up fine on my computer.

[501stGeronimo]

Get on Google and type in " John C Bradley OSS USMC" the Detachment 101 roster will show up, everyting will prove what he was. Thanks

[501stGeronimo]

Paste this in the web search bar:

http://www.oss-101.com/roster-abc.html

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/USMC-OSS/USMC-OSS-Reprise.html

http://www.mccia.org/history/cisec1.htm

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/washingtonpost/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=153755802

http://www.ossreborn.com/files/ossmedals.pdf

http://www.specialforcesroh.com/showthread.php?36012-Bradley-John-C

http://www.marinechat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29080

http://arcweb.archives.gov/arc/action/ShowFullRecord?tab=init/showFullDescriptionTabs/details&mn=resultsDetailPageModel&goto=0&%24searchId=6&%24partitionIndex=0&%24digiSummaryPageModel.targetModel=true&%24DateFilter.detailId=-1&%24resultsDetailPageModel.search=true&%24locationFilter.name=locationFilter&%24showArchivalDescriptionsTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24resultsSummaryPageModel.targetModel=true&%24resultsPartitionPageModel.search=true&%24highlight=false&%24levelOfDescriptionFilter.name=levelOfDescriptionFilter&%24levelOfDescriptionFilter.detailId=-1&%24showFullAuthorityTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24showFullDescriptionTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24digiDetailPageModel.currentPage=0&%24resultsPartitionPageModel.targetModel=true&%24resultsSummaryPageModel.pageSize=10&%24showAuthorityResultsTabs.selectedPaneId=&%24DateFilter.name=DateFilter&%24submitId=3&%24digiDetailPageModel.resultPageModel=true&%24resultsDetailPageModel.currentPage=0&%24documentTypeFilter.detailId=0&%24resultsDetailPageModel.pageSize=1&%24sort=RELEVANCE_ASC&%24documentTypeFilter.name=documentTypeFilter&%24locationFilter.detailId=-1

[501stGeronimo]

Here it is:

straight from the family after he passed

[501stGeronimo]

It is 100% original bar, took it with me to many shows and many forum members wanted to buy the group. It is oddly painted by I guees Mr Bradley. Pretty cool group. 101 Burma is carved into the scabbard.

[BigJohn#3RD]

501st,

Great I an see it it all now. Thanks for the education of 101 Burma Items as well.

Regards,

John

[501stGeronimo]

No problem, it is interesting to read and find out all the operations that they were involved in and didn't even know.

[501stGeronimo]

I may be getting more items relating to Mr Bradley. Thanks

[Tonomachi]

haha I beg to differ, your roster is not complete, he is on here!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.oss-101.com%2Froster-abc.html&ei=8JqRUeD8N-i7ygH1o4CoCQ&usg=AFQjCNFMeccelUX8TXKt9lSnkJj8ka65VQ&bvm=bv.46471029,d.aWc&cad=rja

This is the second time this has happened with the list I have so I went back to look at it and I found out that the list I have does not include Detachment 101 personnel who served in the Calcutta Field Office in India nor the Arakan Field Unit in Southern Burma. There is also mention of a 71st Liaision Squadron where a distinction is made that they were not members of Detachment 101 but attached to it. This is the first time I've seen a modified burma bar in my years of collecting. Nice find.

[501stGeronimo]

Its a great grouping overall!