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WW II Grouping Saved from the Trash


Terry K.
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I was at a local gun show today and a contractor came in and asked if I was interested in uniforms. I answered yes so he said he was tearing a house down and was to through everything in a dumpster and couldn't bring himself to pitch this.

Named to a local man that served in the 6th Corps. Included is the overcoat, Ike jacket, pants, belt, shirt and cap. I bought it from him because I'm a sucker. Not an important Paratrooper, Raider or Marine one but nice.

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Thats great Terry.

 

Sadly(it seems) so many people dont appreciate the little man or common WW2 veterans things that served.did their job,returned home and lived life.

 

Everypne seems to be a trophy collector only wanting the things that are "cool"...honestly I have seen more Raider uniforms than I can count but not that many 6th Corps.

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Thats great Terry.

 

Sadly(it seems) so many people dont appreciate the little man or common WW2 veterans things that served.did their job,returned home and lived life.

 

Everypne seems to be a trophy collector only wanting the things that are "cool"...honestly I have seen more Raider uniforms than I can count but not that many 6th Corps.

 

Well said.

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Its a very good thing to have saved, lest it be lost to time, and the Soldier's history be forgotten.

 

Many collectors prefer to specialize in specific topics (certain units, only USAAF, etc ...), and I understand that. Otherwise you'll end up with a whole bunch of everything. I'm one of those who pick up everything I see, which is reasonably priced and interesting. I've got items from WW1 through present day. For me, each item is a piece of history, and tells a story of the serviceman/woman, even if abbreviated.

 

 

I'm glad that you rescued this.

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Thanks all!

The house is gone from what I know, but is named with full serial number. He was a local boy. I'm going to get his obit in a few days.

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phantomfixer

Thats great Terry.

 

Sadly(it seems) so many people dont appreciate the little man or common WW2 veterans things that served.did their job,returned home and lived life.

 

Everypne seems to be a trophy collector only wanting the things that are "cool"...honestly I have seen more Raider uniforms than I can count but not that many 6th Corps.

 

well said...not every GI in US history was a combat vet, yet all (generally speaking) served as the government saw fit...they did what they were asked to do..

Nice save

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Hi Terry,

 

I realize this was brought to you but during my (close to) 30 years of doing this, I've been told numerous times "we only threw away junk." I don't know the knowledge of your seller, I can only go with my experience. I'll leave you with one example.

 

I met a family that was clearing out some stuff from an old house. I asked the owner if I could come in and make them offers before they toss it in the dumpster. I wanted to give them money for unwanted items. I was told they know what they're doing but I could have anything I wanted in the dumpster. I spent approximately 3 hours in that dumpster. Some of my haul; A late 1930s Hausser toy German Army Howitzer (sold it for 700 dollars), gold teeth crowns in a cufflink box, C&O Railroad memorabilia and lots of other interesting items. I have an eclectic taste and go after more than military items. Side note: While I was digging in the dumpster I reached into a bag where I ran my knuckle across a glass shard. I was bleeding on all the good trash. I remembered a brown bag that I had found which contained sealed packages of medical gauze and medical tape. I wrapped the finger and continued my hunt. It will take more than a couple of stitches to keep me out of the race.

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mds308,

I know what you mean as I have done close to same. Over my 50+ years collecting and like you I look for anything, he never left his name.

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Oh, I forgot, got copy of obit, just says he was in US Army during war and was Commander of local Amer. Legion. Died in 2009

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...was Commander of local Amer. Legion. Died in 2009

That is fairly recent... somebody at his Post will remember him, or there will be records of his tenure as Commander.

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Many years ago my new wife and I were enjoying our honeymoon at a hotel on the beach in Santa Barbara, next the the pier. Best location you could get. At some point I emerged from the newlywed cave and went outside, walked though the parking lot and by a dumpster, looked in it and found laying right on the top a mint condition, unsoiled WWII Army enlisted overcoat. OK, not a high end piece, obviously, but still, a beautiful WWII uniform piece almost 45 years after the war just, maybe within the hour, tossed in a dumpster. Of course, I snagged the overcoat, and my wife loved it too. I think I actually have a couple of "interesting" honeymoon photos which include the overcoat.

 

Steve

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BILL THE PATCH

Very nice save, great Ike and with name and serial # you can't beat that. Congrats

 

 

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

 

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  • 1 month later...

Very nice. I've never grabbed anything about to be trashed but hope it happens at some point. We talk about the soldier that didn't have a flashy military career but none of them knew what would be asked of them when they signed up or what dangerous positions they may face. Regardless, they signed up and that's what made them the greatest generation.

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Very nice. I've never grabbed anything about to be trashed but hope it happens at some point. We talk about the soldier that didn't have a flashy military career but none of them knew what would be asked of them when they signed up or what dangerous positions they may face. Regardless, they signed up and that's what made them the greatest generation.

An antique dealer I know was visiting a neighbor, who was busy setting up a yard sale...While sitting at a table, she noticed a container with pictures in it....She inquired about price, and was told they were going to be discarded....They were family photos and figured nobody would be interested...My friend made an offer and took the photos home.....In the container were period photos of a Civil War medal of honor recipient....... Bodes

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