byf41 Posted December 28, 2012 Share #101 Posted December 28, 2012 Very nice score . Congratulations ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share #102 Posted December 28, 2012 This pin was in the box of assorted ribbons, pins, DUI's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 28, 2012 Author Share #103 Posted December 28, 2012 Can anyone tell me era or date of this uniform? I would think, just by the condition that it would be Vietnam era but can you narrow it down to dates? Thanks, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 29, 2012 Author Share #104 Posted December 29, 2012 ****THE RED BOOK! Presented here is something near and dear to my heart. This is a book that my Uncle wrote shortly after returning from the war in Europe. There is no printing on the cover or spline of the 8 1/2" x 10" hardback. There is no information on who printed the book. But inside is a wonderful account of the battles of the 28th Field Artillery Battalion as they made their way into Germany. There are many black & white photos, most of which were taken by my Uncle and lots of colorful hand drawn maps. Lt. Col. F. J. Chesarek was the Commanding Officer of the 28th under Brigadier General James A. Pickering who was the Commanding General of the 8th Infantry Division Artillery. This page is very interesting to me as it explained exactly how and why my Uncle was decorated with the Silver Star. I have printed out the paragraph below the photo so it is easier to read. For gallantry in action on 1 April to 17 April 1945. Repeatedly displaying personal courage and leadership with the leading infantry troops, Lieutenant Colonel Chesarek at all times maneuvered his battalion within effective range of the rapidly advancing infantry. On 7 April under heavy enemy artillery fire, he led reconnaissance parties to the successful completion of their mission. On 9 April, he advanced unhesitatingly and personally led his men in intense fire fights against the enemy, overcoming small groups of Germans by-passed by infantry troops. Again on 10 April, he led the attack in a wooded area, clearing the area and capturing 65 Germans. Lieutenant Colonel Chesarek's gallant actions and great courage reflect great credit on himself, his organization and the military service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share #105 Posted December 30, 2012 Found this interesting name tag and then I found a photo showing him wearing it. This was from 1953-54 and the notation on the back of the photo says: "this new OG 108 uniform is very heavy & comfortable" The name plate is hand made of brass with the letters cut from thin rod and shaped and then hammered flat as well as the border and the whole works is soldered together. Is this what you would consider "theater made or trench art"? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted December 30, 2012 Share #106 Posted December 30, 2012 MAN! How much more stuff is in that treasure chest? If you need help let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted December 30, 2012 Share #107 Posted December 30, 2012 Very nice display. Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share #108 Posted December 30, 2012 MAN! How much more stuff is in that treasure chest? If you need help let me know. Oh, I've got a few more little ditties to show but I am reaching a point now where I want to acquire the materials I need to display some of the uniforms on mannequins...so, things might slow down a bit. Thanks for the offer to help though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share #109 Posted December 30, 2012 Very nice display. Danny Thanks for following along Danny. It has given me great pleasure to present these items. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share #110 Posted December 30, 2012 Here is a Garrison cap that belonged to the general. It is quite soiled. Should I attempt to clean it a little? Any recommendations? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 30, 2012 Author Share #111 Posted December 30, 2012 A couple more photos that span the beginning of his Army career to the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted December 30, 2012 Share #112 Posted December 30, 2012 Here is a Garrison cap that belonged to the general. It is quite soiled. Should I attempt to clean it a little? Any recommendations? If I were going to clean it, and I probably would.I would take it to a dry cleaner.They would probably tell you best on how to clean it if they can't.Can not wait to see what else you have.BTW, I like the profile pic change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted December 30, 2012 Share #113 Posted December 30, 2012 Thanks. The more I look at that picture the more I like it. I'll have to have a nice size print made and frame it for the wall. I would think that is the same IKE jacket that he is wearing in the photo with Gen. Pickering in my initial post. Here are a few more I found tonight. None of them are marked as to location or dates so anyone out there that can shed any light on these I would appreciate it. Bob Aloha, These two (2) photos were most likely taken while he was a West Point cadet. In the first photo he is wearing pre-WWII dungarees commonly worn by enlisted artillery men. In the second photo he is posing with a M2A2 light tank which was manufactured from 1935 to 1938. Note that he is wearing a campaign hat and no rank or DUI's. Both photos were probably taken during field maneuvers with the Regulars while he was a Cadet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted December 30, 2012 Share #114 Posted December 30, 2012 On this post I will show some more of the artifacts that go along with the Generals career. Below is his WW2 issued Officers pistol belt and holster. The holster is smaller than a 1911 size. Any ideas what was carried in it? Could be a .32 caliber automatic pistol which was carried by many field grade officers in dress situations. May also be a .32 revolver, but I'd bet it was an automatic. You may be able to tell by the wear marks inside the holster as a revolver cylinder would leave scrape marks in the center whereas an automatic would lay flat inside the holster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted December 31, 2012 Share #115 Posted December 31, 2012 Nice looking belt.I always like the general officer style belt.Look's great on fatigues or blues.Thank you again for sharing your family's treasures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted December 31, 2012 Author Share #116 Posted December 31, 2012 Aloha, These two (2) photos were most likely taken while he was a West Point cadet. In the first photo he is wearing pre-WWII dungarees commonly worn by enlisted artillery men. In the second photo he is posing with a M2A2 light tank which was manufactured from 1935 to 1938. Note that he is wearing a campaign hat and no rank or DUI's. Both photos were probably taken during field maneuvers with the Regulars while he was a Cadet. Salvage Sailor, Thanks for the information on the early photos and the holster. I kind of thought the photo with the headphones was artillery practice and by the looks of his age I would agree that was West Point. And its nice to get a manufacture date for the tank which definitely places it right in the years Ches was at West Point (1934 to 38). The holster does have the imprint of a pistol and not a revolver. I will find something to fill it someday. Happy New Year and Aloha to you too. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share #117 Posted January 1, 2013 Shoulder Boards and Silver Stars! The first photo shows a set of General ranks made by the L.G. Balfour Co. and they are in Sterling Silver, still in original package. Next are some photos of the Generals Dress Blues shoulder boards...some with very little use as he went up through the General ranks very quickly. Brigadier General - 1961 Major General - 1964 Lieutenant General - 1966 General - 1969 It's funny but the price tag on the back of the box lists the sale price as $14.50 for the pair. Try to buy a new pair for that today And I was only able to find one of his 4 Star boards and it is quite tarnished so I will be looking for a mate. Lastly, here are his Lt. and Colonel boards which I have to clean up a bit. Very dusty. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share #118 Posted January 1, 2013 I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year and thanks for all the positive comments and following along. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted January 1, 2013 Author Share #119 Posted January 1, 2013 Shown below are the Generals dog tags, ID cards and business cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted January 1, 2013 Share #120 Posted January 1, 2013 Awesome set of shoulder boards.Happy New Year to you too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quirt Posted January 2, 2013 Share #121 Posted January 2, 2013 A very Happy New Year to you as well. I am enjoying your sharing of his treasure chest. One word, awesome! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted January 6, 2013 Author Share #122 Posted January 6, 2013 General Chesarek was first assigned to the 9th Field Artillery Regiment at Ft. Lewis in 1938 and then in 1940 to the 9th Field at Fort Ord in California. Shown below are the Distinct Unit Insignias of the 9th Field Artillery that was a unit of the 3rd Infantry Division in WW II. From June 1940 to Jan. 1941 Ches was assigned to the 81st Field Artillery Battalion at Ft. Richardson Alaska. From Dec. 1942 to Feb. 1943 he was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO with the 177th Field. EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS Ches was the Commanding Officer of the 28th Field Artillery Battalion, 8th infantry Division. His last artillery assignment was Commanding Officer, 5th Artillery Group in Korea. Ches in Korea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share #123 Posted January 8, 2013 Documents and photographs! There were several albums full of mounted post war photographs and documents from the Generals time in Europe while serving with the Southern European Task Force and the European Communications Zone. A letter from Pietro Testa, Major General of the Italian Army. Next a letter from General G. De Gennaro of the Italian Army, Anyone care to translate????? General Chesarek was the Chief of Staff of SETAF from July 1960 thru March 1961. Below is a letter from the succeeding Commanding General with an autographed photo. Lastly for tonight, a random sampling of some of the photo albums of General Chesarek. In this album are pictures of Ches visiting a munitions factory and later receiving the Order of the Cloud and Banner from China. Below are some random photos and documents from the big brown album. Although the cover appears water stained all of the contents are in great condition. Lots of documents to read and photos to scan yet. I hope you all are still enjoying this as much as I am. Thanks, Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted January 8, 2013 Share #124 Posted January 8, 2013 That is one great collection of pictures and collar insignia.Thank you again for sharing.I can't believe how extensive your collection of items is on this great man.And I thought my parents saved everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ches-Gen-4 Posted January 8, 2013 Author Share #125 Posted January 8, 2013 Thanks Firefighter! Yes, this truly is a treasure chest of historical memorabilia and I am honored to present it here. I am going to have the first of my mannequins dressed in the next week or so. Stay tuned Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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