Korean War khaki shirt, theater made insignia

[rd12]

Here's a nice, Korean War era khaki shirt. Japanese made CIB/ribbon rack and bullion SSIs. Shirt is made by Kay, in Chicago. SSG rank is US made. I think it might be missing DUIs, but depending on when it was worn (i.e. on redeployment home) maybe not. I'm sort of thinking this was his "nice" going home shirt. Could've been done up in Japan while he waited to head home.

[rd12]

Here's the laundry stamp..

 

[rd12]

And the obit (abbreviated) I found online...

 

Keech, DeLos D. 77 of Westminster, CO died on March 9, 2010. DeLos was born in Wahpeton, ND on October 21, 1932 to parents Lloyd and Elsie (Keeney) Keech. He graduated from high school with the class of 1950. He started his college education with the then North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton. He served with the National Guard until he was called to serve in the Korean conflict and in Japan with the army from 1951 to 1952 He resumed his studies at NDSSS and went on to North Dakota State University where he graduated in 1956 with a BS degree in mechanical engineering. Most of his career was spent working for the Federal Aviation Administration and, later at Lowry Air Force Base, as chief engineer and as a consultant for the U.S. Postal Service, retiring in 1991. He met his future wife in 1952 and he and Donna M. Berg of Fergus Falls, MN were married on June 18, 1955. They were blessed with four wonderful children, Dana (Marilyn) Keech,, Drew (Kim) Keech, Diana (David) Farr and Darla (Scott) Erickson all of whom survive their father. Grandchildren are Rebecca, Jeffrey, and Sonja Erickson, Alex and Karsen Keech, Peter and Rachel Farr, all of Colorado. Donna, Delos's wife of 54 years survives him.

[bheskett]

I like it. Nice shirt.

Bob

[Desertrat]

That is a beauty. Speaks to me, as I wore the Taro Leaf for 4 years

[BILL THE PATCH]

Beautiful insignia, love the 3id looks really thick and heavy.

 

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

 

[doyler]

Great shirt.

[rd12]

Thanks. I saw this as a BIN on eBay and jumped on it because of the CIB - it turned out to be a much better shirt than I'd expected.

[Captainofthe7th]

Wow! Lovely shirt! I did not see this one at all. Glad to see you got it and that it's solidly named.

 

Rob

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[patches]

Guaranteed that Keech was originally in the 164th Infantry, 47th Infantry Division (Viking), the 164th Infantry being of the North Dakota National Guard, This division was federalized in mid December 1950 and was sent to Camp Rucker Alabama by the end of January 1951, and like all the federalized NG Divisions were gutted of it's personnel for service in Japan/Korea or to build up the 4th Infantry and 2nd Armored Divisions for service in Germany.

[Baron3-6]

24th was being rebuilt in Japan during the later half of the Korean War. He probably served in Korea with the 3rd, then moved to Japan in the 24th Div and had this fancy tailor work done. Great uniform and even better that it is named - something harder to find on Korean War uniforms.

[cortezer]

Hello Bob Davis (and others reading this thread)

 

Let me introduce myself - I am the eldest son of Sgt DeLos D. Keech. My name is Dana and am now 60 years old, I live with my wife in Colorado. I ran across your post by accident while Googling up some names, like my father's. My father did indeed see action in Korea. Even though he didn't speak too much of his experiences there (as the memories of it were not that great like losing his best friend from back home in Wahpeton, ND) He was glad overall to have served the best way he could. I do have a picture somewhere of him in Japan, but don't recall the details of the photo. The best person to ask would have been my mother, but she passed in August of 2013.

 

I guess I am curious how this shirt came to come up on an ebay auction and who the seller was. My dad had 4 siblings with 3 of them still living, but I would have thought my mother would have had that shirt in her possession at the time of her passing. I have many of my Dad's war items, mostly small things like buttons and such. Had his rifle from Korea (not functional any longer) but gave that to the second eldest grandson as he (Alex) would most appreciate it seeing as how he enlisted in the Navy after graduation.

 

Thank you Bob for posting about the shirt so I could see it in a picture. I'm glad you found it and appreciate it. That was my father's and he was a great father, husband, grandfather and friend to many.

 

Thanks again and God Bless,

Dana Keech

[firefighter]

Amazing find. Gorgeous patches and ribbon rack.You should add the ribbon rack/CIB to the custom ribbon rack thread and CIB thread.

[patches]

Thank you for your personal recollections of your Father cortezer, it must be quite astonishing to see something like this.

[rd12]

Dana,

Thank you for sharing some information about your father. I have sent you a PM.

[Kurt_E]

I think it's not cotton twill Khaki shade 1 shirt but "Tropical Worsted" shirt (maybe even gabardine) in Tan shade 61. Privately purchased I believe. Are there any more manufacturer's tags or stamps? Are those creases durable press? Also it seems that "US" collar disc is domed type and another is not.

[patches]

I think it's not cotton twill Khaki shade 1 shirt but "Tropical Worsted" shirt (maybe even gabardine) in Tan shade 61. Privately purchased I believe. Are there any more manufacturer's tags or stamps? Are those creases durable press? Also it seems that "US" collar disc is domed type and another is not.

You are correct, not Khaki Cotton Twill Issue type.

[Kurt_E]

You are correct, not Khaki Cotton Twill Issue type.

 

Yep and it's very strange to see a shirt with creases in early 50s. As I recall "7 creases" tan shirts was ordered by Harold K. Johnson in February, 1968. But if these creases on this entire shirt are hand-made by ironing then it makes sense of course.

[rd12]

I think it's not cotton twill Khaki shade 1 shirt but "Tropical Worsted" shirt (maybe even gabardine) in Tan shade 61. Privately purchased I believe. Are there any more manufacturer's tags or stamps? Are those creases durable press? Also it seems that "US" collar disc is domed type and another is not.

 

Here is a picture of the shirt tag and some stampings on the lower front shirttail.

 

 

 

[rd12]

Also, the shirt has three crease down the back. These looked ironed in - they are mostly gone where the shirt was tucked in.

 

[Kurt_E]

Then I believe it's done by the man himself. However it's a good-looking TW shirt.

 

P.S. One more thing, seems like the khaki rank chevrons were unauthorized. Pretty interesting too.

[patches]

Then I believe it's done by the man himself. However it's a good-looking TW shirt.

 

P.S. One more thing, seems like the khaki rank chevrons were unauthorized. Pretty interesting too.

During this period Kurt (52-58) was a strange one in regards to chevrons worn. After the 1948 Reg Combat Branch/Support Branch chevrons were done away with in late 1951 and the large traditional type was reinstated, one will see all the types of large size chevrons from WW2, now to include the new OD on Blue Twill 1951/52 chevrons worn on fatiques IKEs and khaki shirts. This would include the old OD on Khaki Twill type, though I've only seen these on Khaki shirts and believe it or not on IKE jackets(In example there's a photo of the late Antony Herbert, where either he or a fellow NCO in his autobiography SOLDIER is wearing OD on Khaki M/Sgt chevrons on his IKE circa 1953/54 or something, not sure of date, don't have this book no more, or I would scan photo)

 

Take Khaki shirts and Khaki Coats (EMs could wear them too), the duly authorized chevrons one would think would be OD on Blue Twill, but Khaki WWII types seem to have been popular as well as OD on wools. And since the old WWII types were so prolific, on all these items it seems there was no prohibiting against their wear.

[patches]

Here's an IKE with the even older OD applique on wool chevrons, a rare sight as the more common WWII ones, if worn, would be the two types of Silver/White types, the rayon woven or the embroidered on Black Twill, and the OD embroidered on Black wool in their various shades of OD's.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/120364-1957-army-od-ike-jacket/

[patches]

Two GIs circa 1948-late 51(Brothers?)

 

 

 

The Old (WWII Pfc, maybe Silver on Black or OD on Black, hard to tell) and New (1948 re Combat Branches Blue on Yellow) or if you like, the soon to be New (large WWII types) with the soon to be old (1948 Reg chevrons)

[Kurt_E]

In addition to the quest called "What just happened to those chevrons?" I'm attaching official Army photo. Look to the center and behold LANCE CORPORAL chevron!!! (when it must be PFC). What the heck is Lance Corporal when we talk 'bout the Army. Lance Corporals exist in USMC! Also I see a Chief Master Sergeant as well.

 

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