Restoration Project - Named WW2/Korea Ike Jacket

[JasonT]

Hi All -

 

I recently acquired a WWII-era Ike jacket from a fellow forum member, ID'd to Daniel Lucero who served with 100th Division during WWII and then served during Korean War. Below are a couple of links to previous posts related to this jacket. I would like to restore the jacket with the appropriate insignia.

 

The jacket itself is WWII era, where he was a PFC at wars end. However, the removed ranks match Sgt. 1st Class, which is the rank he retired as in Korea.

 

Should I restore the jacket as he wore it when he was discharged after Korean War, ribbon bar and all? Was it common for WW2 vets to wear their original Ike's through Korea?

 

There are also some silver plastic buttons sewn on the front to replace the original ones. I'll post some photos of these tomorrow. Not sure if I should remove them and replace with WW2 era buttons or leave as is, in the event this was how he modified it when he left the service,

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/274808-named-ike-jacket/?hl=100th&do=findComment&comment=2210862

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/274980-daniel-lucero-g-co-397th-infantry/?hl=100th&do=findComment&comment=2212601

 

 

 

[Christopher]

First thing I would do is bring it to a dry cleaner and have it lightly cleaned and pressed. Its a non invasive process and it will provide for a much better looking starting point. Do this before you start your restoration. From what I see you'll need;

 

1. Ruptured Duck (stitching can be see) Others can chime in, but he may have taken it off when he enlisted again for Korea.

2. Use only Korean War era Sgt. 1st Class Chevrons.

3. If he was still in 100th ID in Korea, I would use WWII era 100th ID patches for that, as he would have left those on.

4. He would have wore his WWII ribbons and Korean War ribbons. He would have also possibly had a DUC, PUC, and/or RKPUC.

5. Overseas Bars - (I don't know if he would have worn his ww2 and Korea War OB on this uniform or not.)

6. Service Stripes - I don't know how many years he was in during ww2 and than again in Korea.... 2 service stripes?

[Christopher]

WW2 he was with the 397th IR, 100th ID. Here is their lineage.

 

http://www.100thww2.org/linhon/397th.html

 

http://www.100thww2.org/occupation/occ1.html

[Christopher]

 

Army Good Conduct Ribbon, American Campaign Ribbon,

EAMC Ribbon, WW2 Victory Ribbon, Army Occupation Ribbon

National Defense Service Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon, UN Service Ribbon

 

Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korean Presidential Unit Citation (these should be pin back)

 

I didn't see when he enlisted, but he may have been eligible for the American Defense Ribbon.

 

 

[JasonT]

Thanks Christopher! It definitely looks like he had the 100th insignia on the right shoulder as his combat unit. The ghost from his service stripes would indicate he served for 12 years. I'll order his records to confirm his awards and Korean unit.