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Uniform of Captain Alburn Smith, 129th Infantry Regiment


2ndInf.Div.
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This one was recently on eBay, and I was beyond happy to get it. This uniform belonged to Alburn Smith of the 129th Infantry Regiment. From what I have found, he was from Joliet, and served with Company K while the 33rd ID was at Camp Forrest, TN. In late 1943, the 129th became part of the 37th ID. In addition to his jacket, the group also came with his shirt, trousers, hat, and tie. Furthermore (perhaps miracously), a friend of mine actually had his dog tags, which he graciously sent to me.

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BILL THE PATCH

Wow, I wonder if he knew the William Howard you did research for me. Sharp looking uniform.

 

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk

 

 

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Thanks all!

 

Bill, I would imagine most of the officers in each regiment would have been acquainted with each other. Its pretty cool to think about :)

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  • 3 weeks later...

Well guys, after doing some research it would appear I got duped on this one. I was able to get his discharge form and some medical records at the National Archives, and nothing really adds up. He for sure served in the 129th before the war, and moved around between F, G, and K Companies. However, at some point he left the 129th before they even went overseas. His discharge has his final unit listed as the 24th IR, with one overseas bar and campaign credit for the Ryukus.

 

Kind of my question is, what do I have here? Clearly this uniform was his, clearly he was in the 129th, and ended the war as a Captain. Is it possible that this was his pre-war uniform, complete with DIs and numbered rifles, and somebody took it upon themselves to restore it with a basic 37th ID ribbon rack, patch, and overseas bars? Should I restore this back to its pre-war config with a 33rd patch?

 

Ive attached a few pics below. The right shoulder has the ghosting of what appears to be a 10th Army patch.

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From his discharge, noting awards, dates of overseas service, etc. His dental records show that by the summer of 1942 he was with the 359th IR, and in 1943 he was with the 532nd Armored Inf. Bn. As his discharge shows, he didn't arrive in the PTO until very late in the war. He was discharged in May 1946 (that would be the 5 months service as an Adjutant that his discharge notes). Another record I have shows that he was again in the 129th after the war, in 1947-1950, as he must have re-enlisted in the NG.

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Check, coat he wore post war as a member of the 37th Inf Div.

I dont think so. I do have a card that shows he was 129th again after the war, which would mean he would have been with the 33rd, not 37th.

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TheMinistryOfAviation

Fantastic and sharp Jacket! And way to secure a picture too! Well done!

 

-Jeremy

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