CHASEUSA11B Posted October 23, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 23, 2014 Hello everyone. I picked up this set of coats on ebay a while back and was hoping to find some info on the soldier. Both coats have the First Army SSI on the left sleeve and the red ESB SSI on the left. The tan jacket had a note in the pocket with the name "1st Lt J E MacNair" on the top and a date of 1959. I tried a google and ancestry search but didn't have any luck. Being only a 1st Lt in 1959 with a combat patch makes me wonder if this soldier was a former enlisted man. Anyways, any info on this soldier would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atb Posted October 23, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 23, 2014 The red SSI you cal "ESB" is the Navy's WW2 Amphibious Forces SSI. Same design as the Army SSI, but with a red background. Your man had WW2 Navy service and chose to wear his Navy SSIas a so-called "combat patch" (an unauthorized practice, but done by some soldiers with prior service in the USN and USMC). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHASEUSA11B Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share #3 Posted October 23, 2014 Thank you for the info atb, I wasn't sure what to call the SSI even though I have seen it on Navy jumpers. Prior navy service makes sense aand makes this more interesting to me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHASEUSA11B Posted October 23, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 23, 2014 Well the seller was out of Maine and I found this obituary of a sailor with the Navy a amphibious SSI but it doesn't mention anything about army service, still might be my guy Well the seller was out of Maine and I found this obituary of a sailor with the Navy a amphibious SSI but it doesn't mention anything about army service, still might be my guy http://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituaries/bdnmaine/obituary.aspx?pid=162945210 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainofthe7th Posted October 25, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 25, 2014 He appears to be a Junior. Here is in the Army registers for 1951 and 1953: Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captainofthe7th Posted October 25, 2014 Share #6 Posted October 25, 2014 And last one, 1956: Very interesting uniform! I always love seeing cross-branch pieces. This one is especially neat because of the SSI. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHASEUSA11B Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share #7 Posted October 25, 2014 Thanks for the info rob! I think this is the only ID'd cross branch uniform I have and I would like to add the appropriate ribbons. I found the Army registrars from the early 1950's but the memo in the pocket is dated 1959. I would like to send for his records using his naval service number but I don't know what to put on the sf180 in reference to his army service. Would he keep the same service number or get a new one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattS Posted October 25, 2014 Share #8 Posted October 25, 2014 I'd use his army SN, 0998499. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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