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5th Infantry Division Grouping - 1954-55


bryang
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I visited a nearby estate sale last week, having seen photos of a post-war Ike jacket as part of the company's online listing.

There was a large box full of uniform items, all of which had been issued to the man of the house who had passed away several years prior. I was very disappointed, however, when I saw that mice had eaten into parts of both Ike jackets, as well as parts of a pair of trousers and through a khaki shirt.

 

This being said, not everything was damaged, and there was quite a lot of clothing items in the box. They wanted $75 for the box of issued military clothing, which I felt was too high, considering that both Ikes were damaged. I spoke with the sale manager and told her that had the jackets not been eaten into I'd have gladly paid the asking price.

She looked around and brought me a box full of assorted vintage Army insignia - what would have gone onto the jackets - as well as a sheaf full of military documents and assorted ephemera.

 

She asked if $75 would be ok with everything tossed in together, and I agreed to the price. Frankly, even with the damage I'm good with having this grouping.

 

This military grouping is from Private First Class Charles R. Felts, of Joelton, Tennessee. He served as an Infantryman in Headquarters, 5th Infantry Division, West Germany 1953-1955.

 

 

Uniform items include: Duffel Bag, Heavy Overcoat, 2 x 'Ike' Jackets, 2 x Dress Slacks, 3 x Khaki Shirts, 2 x Neck Ties, 2 x Green Garrison Caps, 2 x Khaki Garrison Caps, 3 x Belts w/ Buckles, 2 x Long Sleeve Under Shirts, 6 x Pair Green Socks.

 

One of the Ike jackets had his orders redeploying him back to the U.S., as well as orders awarding him the Good Conduct Medal, while in a different pocket was a receipt signing for military bedding.

 

In one of the pockets of his heavy overcoat was a sheaf of travel orders stapled together (about 7 copies).

 

 

 

As there are many items, I'll be posting in several "replies" ...

 

 

Here is "the box" -

 

 

 

 

 

 

(note the "Mother" pillowcase)

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Second Ike (damage is less visible, but on front upper right breast pocket ... should I consider having a pocket removed from another Ike, replacing this damaged one?)

Documents in upper pockets of first Ike:

 

 

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One of the two pair of trousers, one of the three khaki shirts, the assorted socks, belts and ties, one of the two under shirts, the four garrison caps:

 

 

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Overcoat is a heavy sucker, and is in very good shape. Fished several sets of PFC Felt's redeployment orders from one of the pockets:

 

 

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Duffel bag is in very good condition.

 

Among the many items I picked up with this grouping is a stamp set PFC Felts used to stamp his last name initial and last four of his service number onto all of his clothing and personal items.

 

I have what I think is a leather ammunition case (please correct me if I'm wrong on this), some good (and very old) GI foot powder, and his sewing kit.

 

 

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I was fortunate enough to have found these three DUI among some costume jewelry. DUI went with the military items I bought.

 

Several U.S. collar brass, as well as for Infantry, ordnance and general staff (this last one might explain the sheaf of "general training" documents).

 

Some pin-on Corporal rank - hadn't seen the miniature ones before.

 

Also 5th Army and 8th ID patches. Not sure the tie to PFC Felts (as I just picked this all up, I haven't done any research on the man yet).

 

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I have what I think is a leather ammunition case (please correct me if I'm wrong on this)

 

It's actually a 1st Aid Pouch for wear on the Garrison Belt rig normally worn post-WWII by MP's.

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