Eric Queen Posted April 5, 2020 Share #1 Posted April 5, 2020 I paid a lot for it but had to have it. The coolest US airborne portrait I have seen in some time. I love the hand applied camo M42 jump suit and helmet. Trousers seem to be modified in some way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 5, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted April 5, 2020 Taken in Sicily mid August 1943. He was most likely with the 82nd (504/505) during Operation Husky. If the people to whom the PC is addressed were his parents, his name could have been James Snyder but have not been able to locate him on a roster thus far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted April 5, 2020 Share #3 Posted April 5, 2020 That is a really cool picture, thanks for showing Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Persian Gulf Command Posted April 5, 2020 Share #4 Posted April 5, 2020 Eric, Thank you for sharing to the rest of us as well. I saved the image and looked at an enlargement. I would speculate that the hand applied, brushed application, of the paint is two different colors. Additionally, the helmet has a very similar application pattern but he pants appear to be a different pattern of application. The trooper has a long bladed knife on his right hip that is not a M4 bayonet or M3 fighting knife. It looks like it may be a 1918 knuckle knife. Also there is a U.S. flag on the right shoulder. Great serious expression on the trooper's face holding the M1 Garand with authority! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted April 5, 2020 Share #5 Posted April 5, 2020 Great photo. Is that an M2 on his head? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnDuc49 Posted April 5, 2020 Share #6 Posted April 5, 2020 Could this be him? Snyder on the registration card is written pretty similar to the Snyder on the back of the photo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 5, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted April 5, 2020 Thanks, the writing does look similar. But it looks like he is sending it to a Max Snyder. He signed it "Just Jim" so was guessing his name was James most likely. I wonder Max could have been an older brother (he would have been 28 in 1943) Thanks again for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted April 5, 2020 Share #8 Posted April 5, 2020 I’ve been to Catawissa several times back in the day and it’s not a heavily populated area. Shouldn’t be too hard to find Jim if he is a Snyder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnDuc49 Posted April 5, 2020 Share #9 Posted April 5, 2020 Only James or Jim that I could find from Catawissa who was in WWII I think was James Berdet Snyder. Handwriting doesn't really match up though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnDuc49 Posted April 5, 2020 Share #10 Posted April 5, 2020 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 11, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted April 11, 2020 Thanks again for the info. Here is a larger scan of the image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted April 11, 2020 Share #12 Posted April 11, 2020 E Amazing picture!!! It’s like a 16th century oil painting!! Thanks for thinking of me His trousers seem to have the cream colored webbing tape that has the red fleck thread running through it. Usually for risers etc O Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted April 11, 2020 Share #13 Posted April 11, 2020 He also has a brass whistle in his upper right pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Marine Posted April 12, 2020 Share #14 Posted April 12, 2020 Great Photo, with lots of details. Thanks for posting it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Persian Gulf Command Posted April 12, 2020 Share #15 Posted April 12, 2020 I have this photo in my file but do not remember where on the net I found it. I believe the Trooper may be same individual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pararaftanr2 Posted April 12, 2020 Share #16 Posted April 12, 2020 Could this be him? Snyder on the registration card is written pretty similar to the Snyder on the back of the photo For what it's worth, I think you will find that these registration cards were filled out my the registrar at the draft board, not by the registrant, who only signed his name at the bottom, so the hand writing would not match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan H. Posted April 12, 2020 Share #17 Posted April 12, 2020 Eric, Thanks a million for sharing the photo. The backdrop painting of the Sicilian photographer has been seen with a number of paratrooper studio photos. I have seen a number of them with troopers wearing short sleeved jump jackets. This is the first camo'd one that I have encountered. As has been mentioned previously, the paratrooper trouser pockets have been modified with parachute strapping. I have seen this type of modification on 509th uniforms, as have I seen the hand camo patterns applied. I am sure that troopers of the 504th and 505th PIR would have done the same. Allan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Queen Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share #18 Posted April 16, 2020 Thanks to all for the comments. Glad that you enjoyed seeing it. Persian Gulf Command: Thanks for posting the photo. I am not sure if it is the same guy but it's a great image. Certainly more of a pronounced camo pattern than mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted April 16, 2020 Share #19 Posted April 16, 2020 Those two paratroopers look exactly the same. The trooper in the second photo not only carries two knuckle knives but he appears to have a captured German pistol as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postmanusnac Posted April 15, 2021 Share #20 Posted April 15, 2021 Looks like the classic civil war photos. I have one like it for my 5x g uncle.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
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 accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now