cperkins501 Posted February 23, 2014 #1 Posted February 23, 2014 I know a lot of us have great items from members of the WWII parachute troops. If anyone has a grouping from a D-Day paratrooper, I'd love to see them! I'll try to post some of mine, if I can ever get my pictures uploaded.
cperkins501 Posted February 25, 2014 Author #2 Posted February 25, 2014 Here is one of my D-Day paratrooper groupings. He was a Lieutenant with F Co., 505 PIR, 82nd Airborne. He jumped into Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and Holland, and was wounded near Ste. Saveur Le Vicomte and in Nijmegen.
cperkins501 Posted February 25, 2014 Author #3 Posted February 25, 2014 Here is another. He was a member of the 501 Demolition Platoon and later G. Co. He jumped Normandy and Holland before fighting in the Bulge. Not sure why he had a post-war 501 DI. Probably from a reunion, but was in with the other items. I like the way that he buffed the jump wings so that they are somewhat smooth.
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #4 Posted February 25, 2014 Heres mine. Battailon Surgeon who was at Normandy,Holland,the Bulge,Germany and was the Football Team doctor as well till rotating home.
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #5 Posted February 25, 2014 His jump jacket with hand stitched/reinforced jacket upper pockets.
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #6 Posted February 25, 2014 Caps.The chocolate one is english made.The silk maps were both his.He had a couple dozen of them.He stated they carried them in the liners of the helmets for added padding.I also have a paper map he carried/used in Mijmegen.He circled an area where his aid station was located during the battle there.
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #7 Posted February 25, 2014 German helmet he found at Cherbour Penninsula 7 days after the initial assault
cperkins501 Posted February 25, 2014 Author #9 Posted February 25, 2014 Wow! That is a beautiful grouping. It's just so complete. I'm surprised he had so many sets of wings, especially with devices. I always figured that troopers tended to own several sets of wings, but probably only decorated one with devices, if any, since it could be a pain to get to the regimental dentist or whoever was drilling the wings. Very cool!
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #10 Posted February 25, 2014 M42 trousers from a 506th vet.Named to R*ANNE*Y
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #12 Posted February 25, 2014 Wow! That is a beautiful grouping. It's just so complete. I'm surprised he had so many sets of wings, especially with devices. I always figured that troopers tended to own several sets of wings, but probably only decorated one with devices, if any, since it could be a pain to get to the regimental dentist or whoever was drilling the wings. Very cool! Thanks He was a unique individual.Very humble.He was wounded at Normandy as well.He took a piece of shrapnel in his left arm and removed and sewed up the wound himself.I had read the account of this in a book put out by a unit member.When I asked him about why he didnt have the purple heart he bluntly stated he refused to be put in for one.In his words he had seen so many traumatic head wounds and limb amputations he didnt feel his "scratch" warrented the medal.It was a honor to know him. He had a few other wings as well.One was an english made set with two stars mounted on two pieces of hand cut thin leather.one color was white the other black and they were layered to form the colors of the 508th wing oval.Some place I have a couple mopre of his wings.
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #13 Posted February 25, 2014 Jacket and trouser set from a local vet.He let me use these for display.He sent these home prior to departing for england January/February 1944
cperkins501 Posted February 25, 2014 Author #14 Posted February 25, 2014 Man, I love the jump jackets that have pocket patches sewn on the chest. Great way to show that unit pride. That is a pristine piece. Do you have any other items from that local vet?
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #15 Posted February 25, 2014 Man, I love the jump jackets that have pocket patches sewn on the chest. Great way to show that unit pride. That is a pristine piece. Do you have any other items from that local vet? No but he has a footlocker full.You should see the custom tailored football jacket he has.Made in gernany with bullion 508th pocket patch.
doyler Posted February 25, 2014 #17 Posted February 25, 2014 Very nice sets guys. Great stuff RD! JD Thanks JD Its really just stuff.The real deal was meeting and knowing the vets.
Fritz Posted March 6, 2014 #19 Posted March 6, 2014 Heres my only D-Day Paratrooper Group, named dress uniform to 1st Lt. Albert Hassenzahl C co. 506th PIR Company commander, wounded 4 times including a severe wound at Normandy, won the Silver Star for defense of regimental CP in Holland, also his "Curahee" book named on the inside, theres more to tis one but its tucked away at the moment, the scarf actually belongs to another 101st Artillery Officer group, I put it on here for display. Fritz
cperkins501 Posted March 6, 2014 Author #22 Posted March 6, 2014 What a neat grouping! Lt. Hassenzahl shared his experience of being wounded in Normandy in Patrick O'Donnell's book "Beyond Valor." Very interesting first person account. Any chance you knew the Lt. or had the chance to hear his stories in person?
Fritz Posted March 6, 2014 #23 Posted March 6, 2014 Looks to be a great set Fritz! JD Thanks JD! Fritz
American Heritage Posted March 14, 2014 #24 Posted March 14, 2014 Caps.The chocolate one is english made.The silk maps were both his.He had a couple dozen of them.He stated they carried them in the liners of the helmets for added padding.I also have a paper map he carried/used in Mijmegen.He circled an area where his aid station was located during the battle there. GMONT508 006.jpg All nice stuff here! Doyler, where was he from - it says Boone Officer?
Brian Dentino Posted March 14, 2014 #25 Posted March 14, 2014 Wow, great D-Day para groupings there fellas! Ron, that modified jump suit looks to be in great shape....and Fritz, whoa what a looker!!!!!
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