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USN Navy Denim question


VenitHora
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Hello,

Can anyone help me ID the jumper worn by the man on the left?

 

Picture taken in late 43-early 44 (supposedly) aboard the USS Yorktown II

post-8296-0-84482500-1409213745.jpg

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Looks like it has. Zipper front, and a breast pocket. Do not think it is a standard issue Navy item. The fabric does not appear to be denim either. Think this may be some sort of civilian type shirt adopted for shipboard use.

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I don't think the NAVY issued sports/PT gear at that time. Individual commands would procure sports uniforms for their teams, but I don't think there was any standard NAVY issue of that stuff. Others are seeing that zipper front right? Other than being blue, I don't think this shirt is "Navy". Possibly a sports shirt from the ship or just a civilian shirt that has been pressed into service. This is much more common in the Navy than non Navy people know, especially the farther back you go. For example, leather civilian belts worn with dungarees and work khakis was almost universal in the beginning. Gray civilian sweat shirts were also common

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vintageproductions

Here is a photo of two different Navy issue Athletic / PT jumpers. They were made by Wilson sportswear for the military.

 

jumpers.JPG

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vintageproductions

I don't think there is a zipper on the pullover in the photo. I think it is the sailors white skin showing through the neck opening. Look at his "farmers tan" it shows where the white of his skin goes below the neck and would match through the opening.

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Again, don't believe those were "issue" items in that as you went through clothing issue in boot camp, these were tossed in your bag. Never saw anything like it on a sea bag list, which is "issue". Were these available, sure looks like it. Were they handed out to guys on ships sports teams, looks like, just like foul weather gear. But, then again, what do I know, I bow to your expertise. Probably a terminology thing with what "issue" means. And not having a stock number.

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Doyler, Grant S, Sigsaye, and Vintage productions,

 

Thanks for the informative response. Someone I know has a very similar Denim set. I am guessing the set is civilian private purchase? May be something like what is being worn?

post-8296-0-39961400-1409275305.jpg

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pararaftanr2

Guys,

I can't tell what the man in the first post is wearing, but those Wilson athletic jumpers were issued and worn by Naval Aviation Cadets.

The group below is undergoing survival training.

Regards, Paul

 

 

 

post-9787-0-29354600-1409462580.jpg

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Great picture Paul.

Thanks for posting.

 

I have a black wool lined pull over thats British.They were issued to 17th Airborne men prior to the Bulge.Mine came from a Medic.

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I do believe that the man in the first photo is wearing some version of the athletic pull over. I do not believe he is wearing a denim shirt. Now, what I am trying to say about "Issue" is this: the "NAVY" did not issue these. They WERE locally procured by individual commands, and issued to members of THAT command for what ever reason. This is a very common practice. Several times during my Navy career, I was issued items that were not normal "Navy" issue, but thought necessary by that command. For example, my first Amphib had a CO that thought assault boat crews should wear OD greens like the Marines so that if we were stuck on the beach we would not stand out so much. So he had the supply officer find some and "Issued" them out. No other ship did this as far as I know and it was not Navy policy. My last ship "Issued" all officers and CPOs Army pull over sweaters to wear with our working khakis, and high top steel toed Flight Deck boots. Just a ship thing, not done Navy Wide. That is what I mean by the athletic shirts not being "Navy Issue". They were procured from a commercial source by individual commands and issued to specific individuals for what ever reason (and To any one who could snag one, like flight deck jerseys). Any way, the shirt in the first pic is not denim.

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 4 years later...

Here is another one of the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. pull over like vintageproductions shared. These were from a cadet too, and both made by Wilson.

 

usnapullover1.jpg

 

usnapullover2.jpg

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I should have added that one is twill and the other is wool.

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Doyler, Grant S, Sigsaye, and Vintage productions,

 

Thanks for the informative response. Someone I know has a very similar Denim set. I am guessing the set is civilian private purchase? May be something like what is being worn?

 

That denim jumper looks very similar to the style worn by cadets at the Coast guard Academy during the 1960s. Had a shipmate that had a couple of them, notes that he did some horse trading during a summer cadet training cruise.. The jumper with "SHACK" stencilled has a slightly different collar. I believe the Academy was either a shawl collar or sailor style flap..

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