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488th Port Transportation Battalion DIs


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I picked up a handful of these beautiful DIs. All hallmarked the same from a Soldier that served in the Persian Gulf and Africa Command during WW2.

 

I think these are semi rare. The seahorse really looks like he is swimming in these!

 

Made by Picchiani Barlacchi Firenze. They are all in incredible condition. I am into patches and seldom come across these.

 

5248898_orig.jpg

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I saw on eBay that they sold in 2012 for $120 for a pair. And they were listed as unknown DI. But someone contacted the seller that they were the 488th and they updated it on the auction before it ended.

 

I know nothing about DIs, but would love to get some books on them.

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As far as DI books go, here's some of my recommendations. I'm sure others can give more.

 

First I would get the ASMIC Motto Guide and ASMIC Charge List for purposes of identifying DIs. The Institute of Hearldry Site is very good too, but there's many not listed that these ASMIC guides have.

 

ASMIC Catalogs by branch are always good as well.

 

James Sawicki's series of books on several branches are good as well. There are 7 of them. The ASMIC website has several available at good prices. Joseph Massaro's "Insignia of the US Army Air Forces" is a great book for AAF DI's. I think it's available at the ASMIC website as well.

 

Shelby Stanton's Order of Battle WWII and Vietnam Order of Battle covers those DI's very well too.

 

Lt Col Steven Clay's 4 book series "US Army Order of Battle 1919 - 1941" is an outstanding source of DI's of the between the wars time period.

 

Geoffry Barker has a series that covers Airborne and Special Operations units and their DI's. I have 3 of his books. There may be more.

 

Bob Capistrano wrote a very good DI book.

 

I know others will have some recommendations as well.

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Ithaca37, thanks for that great info. I am checking on ASMIC tonight for some of those sources and also on ebay.

 

 

Glad to help. I just checked my Motto Guide that also lists this unit as the 488th Port Bn (TC) Later id is the 488th Trans Bn.

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Got my confirmation back from the US Army Transportation Museum. It actually fun contacting museums =) Makes the hobby interesting and fun!!

 

MR Leader, I checked with an expert on DUIs and, yes, these are the insignia
for the 488th Port Transportation Battalion made in Italy.

MARC W SAMMIS
Curator
Transportation Museum

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  • 1 year later...

I have been looking for a pin signifying the 488th port battalion...my father served in the 5th Army in Italy during WWII...I am close to completing a shadow box with all of this patches and medals...what would it take for me to obtain one of these pins from you? Appears you have the correct pin....thanks for listening...Earl Jr.

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This would be the correct pin and 5th Army patch. I sold all 4 that I had between the range of $65 and 110 each. All period ones should look like this and be Italian made.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Earl Cummings

Looking for a pin of the 488th Port Battation...like the one shown from the Gentleman in CA...to complete my father's shadow box...he is 89 going on 90...served in 1944-1946...I have all of his patches and medals EXCEPT for this one...could someone please respond and advise how I may obtain one of these?...Thanks!-e

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Earl Cummings

would the gentleman (member # 122.868) from Orange CA please contact me relative to the 488th pins shown on this site?...Earl-(507-381-0880)

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