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My new WWII USMC Iwo Jima Coat Bust Display 3rd, 4th & 5th MarDiv


uplandmod
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Finally received my two new mannequins last night and was able to set up my dream Iwo Jima Vet Forest Green Alpha Coat display.

 

All three are IDed to Iwo Jima vets and represent the three divisions that landed at Iwo Jima, the 3rd 4th and 5th MarDiv.

 

I still need some small bits here and there but overall it is completed.

 

This was a good feeling of accomplishment!

 

Thank you for looking!

LF

 

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Here are the link to the mannequins:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270751188294?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

My two features I wanted to have with a mannequin is that I wanted to have a featureless (Egghead) style face and I wanted to be able to put the caps on them.

 

Nice thick and sturdy injected moulded plastic, my only complaint is that it has a glass base. Not bad for $65.00

 

LF

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American Heritage

wow! really nice Leonardo. I can hear the "right-clicks" all over the country on these awesome displays. Those guys have some impressive racks. Love the MarDiv coats as you know.

 

Don

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3rd MarDiv Coat

 

He enlisted in the Corps in 1940 and on Dec 7th 1941 he was at Camp Lejeune during the attack. He later Joined the 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Division as part of the Weapons Co. During the Second Battle of Guam he was WIA. Quickly recuperating he landed on Iwo on the 21st and left by the end of the week. The 3rd Marines did not land at Iwo but for whatever reason he landed for a few days, I am thinking he was part of the group that preparing the regiment to land and when their landing was cancelled they sent him back to Guam. After the war he participated in the Landing forces at Inchon and the liberation Seoul not to mention countless campaigns on the Korean peninsula where he was awarded an Army Commendation Medal. He left the Corps in 1961 and passed away in 1988.

 

4th MaDiv Coat

 

He enlisted at the age of 17 in 1943 and participated in all four of the 4th MarDiv Campaigns: Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. He landed on Blue Beach II on Feb 19th as one of the assault troops where he was hit by shrapnel. Although he was greatly wounded he still led his Marines to take out a bunker that was holding up the exit of the beach. After it was taken out he was taken off the line and sent back to Saipan. For this act he was awarded the PH and Bronze Star with "V", he did all this by time he was 21!

 

5th MarDiv Coat

 

He enlisted in 1941 and became part of the Ships Detachment on the USS Phoenix. He was on the Phoenix when the Japanese Attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941. After the attack he stayed with the ship to Australia where he was sent back to the states for guard duty. He was later moved to A Co, 1st Battalion 26th Marines 5th MarDiv where he participated in the Battle Of Iwo Jima. He was WIA about a week later and was also awarded the PH. Thanks Bob for selling me this one!

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Kurt Barickman

Beautiful! All real combat guys with racks to prove it! Very satisfying to have displays like that isn't it? Very nice job! Thanks for posting.

 

Kurkt

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Thanks everyone it is appreciated!

 

Yes Kurt,

 

These Marines experienced WWII on the front lines.

I wish I could talk to all three of these Marines, and I'm really glad these uniforms ended up in my hands as I will always treat their uniforms with the greatest respects.

 

Thank You!

LF

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TK,

 

Yes the 9th and 21st and most all the support units from the 3rd MarDiv landed at Iwo…most everything from the division except the 3rd Marines. The 3rd Marines were the reserve for the Division but they were never committed.

 

Thank you!!

 

LF

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Nick,

 

I bought the jacket stripped from ebay, I had a tailor restore all patches back on.

It appears that it never had one on in the first place so I didn't add one on.

 

The other two coats' patches are all original.

 

Thanks!

LF

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