JGC Posted May 28, 2009 Share #1 Posted May 28, 2009 Over the weekend I put on a display at the local American Legion Post. I was talking to the Legion Commander and he ask me if I would be interested in some of his uniforms for my display, of course I said yes, and this is what he gave me for my collection. As you can guess, I was speechless. On a day that I thought I was trying to honor the local vets, he honored me by entrusting me with his uniform. We live in a great country, and we're so lucky to have these veterans to thank for it. To all the veterans and active service men that are members of this forum, I'd just like to say, job well done and thank you. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nkomo Posted May 28, 2009 Share #2 Posted May 28, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItemCo16527 Posted May 28, 2009 Share #3 Posted May 28, 2009 WOW And, it has the rank of Marine Gunner; not one you see too often. Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrei Posted May 28, 2009 Share #4 Posted May 28, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick. Posted May 28, 2009 Share #5 Posted May 28, 2009 Jon, congratulations on the singular honour that has been bestowed upon you by being granted custodianship of this remarkable ensemble. Superb set. Patrick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nguoi tien su Posted May 28, 2009 Share #6 Posted May 28, 2009 Raaaah !!! Wonderful set !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nguoi tien su Posted May 28, 2009 Share #7 Posted May 28, 2009 BTW, can you give us some details about his assignment? Thanks ! NTS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
316th FS 324th FG Posted May 28, 2009 Share #8 Posted May 28, 2009 Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted May 28, 2009 Share #9 Posted May 28, 2009 With Tigerstripe collecting this set sits in the top rank !! I am with the boys here and say Bravo !!! owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC Posted May 28, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted May 28, 2009 I appreciate the comments on the set. Jim Hill served 30 years in the USMC, enlisted in 48 and retired in 78. He did 2 tours in Vietnam, was a member of the marine shooting team and won a silver medal in the Olympics. I'm suppose to go spend some time with him going through old photos, he indicated that he has some of him in these tiger stripes. I'll be sure to post them when I get them. Hes a great guy and I hope to get more information regarding his service, I'll keep you all posted as I learn more myself. Thanks Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted May 28, 2009 Share #11 Posted May 28, 2009 This is a great story Jon . You have got one of the Vietnam wars most sought after uniforms for sure . And with the history behind it , is just amazing . I am happy for you as a fellow collector !! owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr-X Posted May 29, 2009 Share #12 Posted May 29, 2009 Very very nice uniform. I cant wait to see some pics of the vet and hear a few stories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nguoi tien su Posted May 30, 2009 Share #13 Posted May 30, 2009 Thanks ! I can't wait for more info ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
butcher Posted May 31, 2009 Share #14 Posted May 31, 2009 Extraordinary score, congrats ,A +++++++++++++++++++ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VALERY Posted May 31, 2009 Share #15 Posted May 31, 2009 Great, great This is a very nice set! Do you have more details from his assignment and tour? Thank you to share Cheers Valery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Copran Posted June 17, 2009 Share #16 Posted June 17, 2009 Wonderful set with provenance, you are the lucky one Could you show the inside of beret ? if there is a tailor tag. Does the shirt have pockets under the armpits ? (one for cigarettes box, one for pens ) ? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share #17 Posted June 17, 2009 Wonderful set with provenance, you are the lucky one Could you show the inside of beret ? if there is a tailor tag. Does the shirt have pockets under the armpits ? (one for cigarettes box, one for pens ) ? Thanks I've attached a few more photos of the uniform and beret. As far as your question regarding the pockets, yes there is a pocket under the armpit of the right sleeve, and a pocket for pens on the outside of the left sleeve. I also noticed that the 2 front pockets have both the buttons in the center, but also small snaps on the corners of the flap. I could not see any sign of a maker mark on the inside of this jacket, and the beret only had the plastic diamond. I hope this answers your questions. Thanks Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Andrews Posted June 17, 2009 Share #18 Posted June 17, 2009 1. Please ask for details re his advisory tour, namely: dates of tour; was he assigned at Div HQ; what was the function of a Gunner as an advisor. 2. Ask him if he was in Quang Tri Province in early 1971. If so, I think I bought him a drink at the MACV compound club. 3. So where is his flaming bomb collar device? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC Posted June 17, 2009 Author Share #19 Posted June 17, 2009 1. Please ask for details re his advisory tour, namely: dates of tour; was he assigned at Div HQ; what was the function of a Gunner as an advisor. 2. Ask him if he was in Quang Tri Province in early 1971. If so, I think I bought him a drink at the MACV compound club. 3. So where is his flaming bomb collar device? Next time I talk to him I'll try and get the info you've requested. He did mention that he was used as a spotter in some type of light aircraft, unfortunately we didn't have a lot of time to talk. We're suppose to get together soon, he said he had some photos for me, but he was going to need some time to dig them out. He won a silver medal for shooting in the 1960 Rome Olympics and was also a 2 time National Champion in shooting. As requested here is a shot of the flaming bomb devise. Thanks Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Cain Posted June 18, 2009 Share #20 Posted June 18, 2009 Absolutely beautiful uniform!! BTW Mr. Hill lost the Gold medal by two points! Peter Kohnke scored a 590 and James E. Hill scored a 589 in the 50 meter three position rifle competition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Copran Posted June 19, 2009 Share #21 Posted June 19, 2009 Jon, Thanks a lot for all these pics. The shirt was made exactly like the one some of my french fellow collector and I have. I think it s a standard configuration for VNMC advisor. The beret flash and all other embroideries are fantastic, and as Mr James Enoch Hill was Oympic shooting silver medal winner, you are really very lucky to have this prestigious person uniform :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share #22 Posted July 14, 2009 Well, I was finally able to get back with Mr. Hill and he provided me with a number of photos of the USMC advisers. I also got a little bit more information regarding his tours. He first went to Vietnam in 1967 and did his second tour in 1972. In 72 he was the ordnance adviser to the SVMC. Here are a few photos of Jim. If you would like me to post the other photos, I'd be more then happy to do so, there are about 50 total. The first photo is of Jim and Capt Douc in Hue City. The last photo is of Jim firing a Tow missile, one of the first to come to Vietnam. The photo of Jim and the burned out tank is interesting in that he said this was one of the first enemy tanks destroyed by a Tow missile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JGC Posted July 14, 2009 Author Share #23 Posted July 14, 2009 I think that I misidentified the photo of the tank and Jim Hill. This photo is the first tank destroyed by a Tow missile, sorry for the mistake. Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Copran Posted July 15, 2009 Share #24 Posted July 15, 2009 I think that I misidentified the photo of the tank and Jim Hill. This photo is the first tank destroyed by a Tow missile, sorry for the mistake. Jon Fantastic pictures, keep posting more if you ca, please Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick. Posted July 15, 2009 Share #25 Posted July 15, 2009 Hi Jon, i agree with Copran, please post more if you possibly can thay are superb images. Patrick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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