Jump to content

Weird 505th PIR DUI


nreed_94
 Share

Recommended Posts

Hey everyone,

 

Picked this up because it was cheap and unique. Its a DUI from the 505th PIR, but it looks nothing like the official DUIs that Ive seen before. This one is completely different from the WWII Ready style and the post WWII H-Minus style. The pin back is stamped NS MEYERS INC. N.Y.C., indicating it is likely from the 1950s. Can anyone shed some light on this design? Is it an unofficial DUI?

post-68886-0-85929900-1573099366.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The "WW II 'Ready' style is a well post-war fantasy piece made for collectors/vets/hallucinations and is listed as 505F (F) class in the ASMIC Infantry DI catalog; the Regiment never had an official or unoffficial DI during WW II (yet). There is another "WW II" collectors/vets/hallucinations piece 505G (F) class w/ motto Terror From the Sky for the 505th.

 

The example depicted is listed as 505A in the ASMIC Infantry DI catalog © class meaning worn by the unit but the samples never approved by TIOH. Nothing unique about it.

 

All the other variations are 1950s and later and all (incl beer cans) were worn by the Regt at various times. There is another fake one made in the 60s which is an unpierced version of one officially made by A.H. Dondero.

 

The catalogs are available for sale to members and non-members alike.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I figured it was an unofficial DUI because I’ve never seen it before (not even when I was in the 505th). Do you know why these were created in the first place, if they were never authorized for wear?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For the same reasons the authorized versions are created - foster esprit de corps, show to which unit a soldier belongs, yadda yadda

 

UA insignia is much more interesting to collect IMO. The best part is no one knows how much UA insignia is out there. Most WW II/Korea/VN has been accounted for, but UA insignia, whether cloth or metal, still shows up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When tredhed2 says "unauthorized", that means Big Army never gave the OK to do it. Don't confuse that with what local commanders authorized. The DI you posted was definitely worn by the unit and they are uncommon but not rare.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The plastic "Geronimo" crest of the 501st PIR is another one of those unauthorized DUIs, but they were absolutely worn. The metal Geronimo DUI for the 501st WAS authorized, but the 501st PIR didn't wear it in WWII.

 

As for the 505th PIR DUI that started this discussion, I have a PB example that has plenty of age to it that I got from a 505th veteran of WWII and the immediate post WWII era. He had no idea where he had picked it up, so it will just have to stay as a UA example.

 

Allan

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I’m a fan of these UA DUIs. I’ll have to dig around more and see if I can find some more examples. Maybe not rare, but definitely unique

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...