82nd Airborne in operation Husky, invasion armbands and SSI, a question for the experts

[Peace]

Capt. John Norton, S-3 & Capt. Willard R. Follmer, I Co 505th, Paestum, operation Avalanche (M. Detrez collection)

Flag right arm, patch worn

 

[Peace]

maj. Frederic C. Kellam, 1st Bn. XO, Paestum (M. Detrez collection)

flag right arm, patch worn

 

[dogface44]

Hi, very interesting topic.

I had started a topic about Husky pictures here:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/upgradetest/index.php?/topic/60138-504th-505th-pir-in-sicily-the-alcamo-photo-studio/

 

Also of personal interest are the NCO type tactical signs seen on many 82nd helmets in Sicily as pictured below.

 

[Peace]

Indeed, I noticed this too, in my search of Sicily pictures. I find these little specifics about the armflags, patches and tac markings real interesting.

 

Regards,

Stijn

[dogface44]

Hi Stijn,

 

Did you ever see the Robert Capa photos of the 82nd AB in Salerno area ? They are fascinating but unfortunately

no longer online. I had saved them all at the time and then a computer crash with no backup.

 

I had posted this one:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/upgradetest/index.php?/topic/31176-interesting-photo-of-us-paras-in-sicilyitaly-oct-43/

[Persian Gulf Command]

This M-42 was worn by Carroll Kramer of the 504 PIR while in the MTO. I can’t be sure in which operations it was worn but it has all the signs of field use. The flag is original to the jacket as are the airborne patches. I speculate that the silk flag was theater made in North Africa. Note that there are 48 stars but they are not arranged as would appear on a U.S. made 48 star flag.

 

Photo #1

 

 

[Persian Gulf Command]

Photos #2 & 3

[Persian Gulf Command]

Photo #3

[dogface44]

Amazing jacket, thank you very much for sharing. As the 504 stayed in Italy the flags disappeared.

Looking at pictures in the Italian mountains october 43 onwards, it even looks like they were re-supplied new M42 sets.

Devils in baggy pants!

 

There are not many good documentaries about Sicily but this one is pretty cool:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uo_HCgNNr3E

[Peace]

Very interesting!

 

Dogface44; I had read about these pictures by Robert Capa, and him not being allowed to jump, since he didn't go through paratrooper school, but I for me, this is the first time I see these pictures.

 

Persian Gulf Command; beautiful jump jacket, and very interesting to see the flag up close!

 

Regards,

Stijn

[Peace]

This is another Sicily worn example of an armflag.

 

This flag was worn on the Sicily campaign by Daniel McIlvoy, Regimental Surgeon, 505th PIR, 82nd AB.

 

It is pictured in the book by Michel Detrez , WWII paratrooper portrait series, no. 3, page 22.

 

[dogface44]

[Peace]

Terrific photographs! Thanks for posting them!

 

Any idea wich unit this is, and where?

[dogface44]

 

http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&STID=2TYRYDGO4411

[Peace]

Found these on a french forum. The caption states that this should be a paratrooper from the 82nd in Tunesia.

 

 

 

[Peace]

And another one;

 

 

Regards,

Stijn

[Tom Kibler]

This M-42 was worn by Carroll Kramer of the 504 PIR while in the MTO. I can’t be sure in which operations it was worn but it has all the signs of field use. The flag is original to the jacket as are the airborne patches. I speculate that the silk flag was theater made in North Africa. Note that there are 48 stars but they are not arranged as would appear on a U.S. made 48 star flag.

 

Photo #1

 

 

 

Here is a photo I took of Carroll holding this same M42 from 2008. You can barely see the edge of the flag.

[Tom Kibler]

I have a 100% correct uniform used in Operation Husky. It belonged to Lt. John J. Scheaffer (D/504). There is a photo of him wearing it which was used in Yank Magazine. I am away from my photo files at the moment, but it is a good set.

 

He wore the 82nd patch on his left shoulder and the small, cloth US Flag sewn on his right shoulder. He painted small white stripes on the shoulders (for 1st Lt.) and he has his name tape (hand sewn) across the breast.

 

The Scheaffer group is an amazing and nearly 100% complete group. The skull and bones D Bail (with Hawley jump liner) was pulled from the group and sold separately by a fellow (MH).

 

I'll get some photos soon.

 

TK

 

Took me long enough....

 

Here is Scheaffer's set. The M3 I put on for the photo, but is not his.

 

[Tom Kibler]

And here is the 48 star US flag.

[Tom Kibler]

Here is Scheaffer wearing this exact set, as pictured in Yank magazine

[Peace]

Fantastic pictures & jacket Tom! I'm more then a little bit envious!

[king802]

Here's another named suit from Sicily. This was worn by Rex Stegall of the Medical detachment of the 504th.

 

Rich

 

 

 

[king802]

Stencilled name.

 

 

 

[king802]

Trousers reinforced with heavy duty white thread on the pockets.

 

Rich

 

 

 

[Persian Gulf Command]

Regarding the M-42 that was worn by Carroll Kramer: I can confirm that the jacket I posted is the same that Tom shows being held by Mr. Kramer in 2008. When I obtained the jacket from a third party I took the sergeant stripes off because Mr. Kramer did not make sergeant. I assumed that someone put the stripes on to embellish the jacket. I still have the stripes in my possession.