WWII 10th Mountain Ike Jacket

[Allan H.]

Earlier this morning, I was reading post regarding an unknown ribbon on a 45th Infantry Division uniform. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/329609-ribbon-id-help-please-on-45th-id-uniform/

The ribbon was identified as the unofficial Victory ribbon, which first appeared after World War I where it was called the "Inter-Allied Victory ribbon." Forum member Kadet stated that he had seen a few uniforms with this ribbon on it from 10th Mountain Division veterans. That statement spurred me to go ahead and post an Ike jacket from my collection which came from a soldier in the 87th Mountain Infantry of the 10th Mountain Division.

 

Here you will see the Ike jacket in all it's glory, The jacket was clearly worn by a Private First Class who was most likely one of the troopers from the Camp Hale days. Of course, the 87th Mountain Infantry was formed in November 1941 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Since there is no American Defense ribbon, we can only assume that he wasn't there when the regiment was formed. He was however, there early enough to have served as a member of "Task Force 9" going to combat the Japanese in the Aleutian Islands.

 

The Ike itself has the 10th Division SSI with the accompanying US made Mountain tab. The jacket also shows a hashmark for three years of active service and two overseas bars for the year of service that he spent overseas in the Aleutians and in Italy.

 

 

[Allan H.]

The Ike sports stamped collar brass and pinback DUIs for the 87th Mountain Infantry. The ribbons are for the Silver Star, Good Conduct, Asiatic Pacific Theater, the European, African and Middle Eastern Theater, and the unofficial Interallied Victory ribbon.





The Ike also has a CB sterling Combat Infantry Badge, as well as a Marksman badge with Rifle and Auto Rifle bars.

[copper252]

Looks great! I always like to see Aleutian campaign uniforms.

[Allan H.]

Detail of the ribbons and the Marksman badge-

[Allan H.]

Here is the other side of the jacket. You can see that there is still a couple of stitches present where the Ruptured Duck was once sewn.

[Allan H.]

The Ike jacket came with a matching shirt, trousers and a unit history of the 87th Mountain Infantry. I also purchased it long enough ago that I am very confident that it hasn't been put together. I have not yet figured out who the original owner was.

 

I want to point out to some of you folks on the forum that in WWII, longevity in the service doesn't necessarily mean promotion. This vet spent over three years and service and left the army as a PFC. Additionally, not every soldier who saw combat and earned a valor award did so by being wounded in the action. Obviously, this soldier made it through the war without picking up a Purple Heart.

 

I hope you've enjoyed seeing this piece of history.

 

Allan

[huntssurplus]

Really nice coat that is related to two topics I am very interested in! The Aleutian Islands campaign specifically is one thing I really like! I've been looking for a 10th Mountain uniform for a while too, hopefully I can pick up one like this!

Thanks for sharing!
Hunt

[Brian Dentino]

Great uniform Allan. I really like those DUI's on that one. Very nice and thanks for sharing it with us here.

[Allan H.]

Thanks all for your comments.

 

Allan

[Brian Dentino]

It would be great to be able to ID this awesome uniform. Earning a SS with NO PH would certainly be an interesting story I am sure! Again, another great uniform from your collection Allan!

[Skysoldier80]

Great uniform. Where were the DUIs made? Also, I have seen some 10th MTN jackets from WWII without the Mountain tab. I am sure there are other posts about it. I guess some wore it and others did not.

[Kadet]

Here is a good thread about the Mountain tab:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/270226-wwii-10th-mountain-patch-with-attached-tab-real-or-what/

[Allan H.]

The DUIs are pin back and are unmarked, though you will sometimes find these crests that are sterling marked and made by A.H. Dondero. There are post war crests that are both maker marked and unmarked. Kadet provided a great link to discussion about the Mountain tab.

 

One of the things that I noticed about the patch and tab on this Ike jacket is that the upper left edge of the patch and the lower corresponding edge of the tab both show some light scorching. Maybe the original owner got a little happy with a flat iron, or maybe he leaned against a hot water pipe or something. The good news is that it isn't damaged seriously.

 

The patch and tab on the OD wool shirt that came with this jacket is similar to the patch and tab on the Ike (minus the scorch).

 

Allan

[VMI88]

One of the things that I noticed about the patch and tab on this Ike jacket is that the upper left edge of the patch and the lower corresponding edge of the tab both show some light scorching. Maybe the original owner got a little happy with a flat iron, or maybe he leaned against a hot water pipe or something.

 

The owner may have been burning off loose threads with a lighter. That's how soldiers today take care of loose threads on their uniforms. Before merrowed edge patches they may have done the same thing with cloth insignia. Great jacket, by the way!

[MajorBonacelli]

Very nice jacket! I recently purchased a ribbon bar very similar to yours with a Good Conduct, WWI award like the one on your jacket used for WWII, and a VFW award

[carbinephalen]

Your posts are always top notch Allan. I always enjoy the research, thought, and time put in to each topic. Gorgeous jacket that is very drool worthy!

[Kadet]

Thought I would add another 10th mountain uniform with the inter allied ribbon. This one is named to a combat medic that served with the 10th Mountain Medical Battalion and is part of a group that includes his Bronze Star, some field gear and an assortment of paperwork. The shirt has the wool version of the 10th Mountain patch sewn on it.

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