817th Troop Carrier Insignia w/ Pistol Belt & Canteen

[vietvet7071]

Picked this up over the weekend. It came with other grouping items from a USAF pilot who flew in Vietnam in 1962-63. He told the person that I got it from, that this is just the way it was issued to him. The insignia which is sewn on the canteen cover is for the 817th Troop Carrier which was originally the 817th Bomb Group that flew B-17s in the ETO. The canteen cover is stamped JA Shoe 1942. The pistol belt is dated 1942. The canteen is stamped GP & F Co., 1943. The canteen cup is stamped U.S., L.F.& C., 1918 and A.M.C.T.

[Teamski]

So it is a Post WWII USAF patch sewn on a WWII canteen cover, right??

 

-Ski

[vietvet7071]

I am not sure. I can't tell if the patch is WW II or not.

Any opinions from anyone?

[Sabrejet]

Unusual to see "US ARMY" printed on the belt as opposed to the usual "US".

[Teamski]

I believe the patch dates from the 1960's when the unit was stationed in Japan. Just my gut feeling.

 

-Ski

[Randy]

The patch looks like the typical Japanese made one for this unit.

Randy

[JDK]

Agreed. The patch is post WW2 for sure.

JD

[1sg]

I believe the 1942 issue in Vietnam, but I'm suspicious of the patch being "issue". Well, that's my opinion anyway.