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Perhaps this is a different direction that the thread originator intended but this...is perhaps one of my favorite uniforms in my collection. This is a road uniform from the NAS/NAAF Waldron Field team (near Corpus Christi) that featured players/naval aviators such as Johnny Sain and Sam Chapman (seen here):

 

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For more information, see the jersey featured in an article.

 

 

 

 

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  • 1 month later...
  • 1 month later...

Beautiful modified M41 belonging to Charle Bovee if Friendswood Tx. Charle was an Airborne Radio Operator and mechanic flying the Hump. This one is in a jersey frame in my war room where I can look at it as much as I want!

 

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Wow...just, WOW :wacko: I agree with Owen- that's one of the best '41s I've ever seen...

 

I guess the next scarcest Uniform component in the pile arrived last week, after a 25+ year

hunt. Marine Corps Parachutist Utility Trousers, size 36X30, which appear to have never been

worn, and still stiff from being folded.

 

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The reverse side of the front; these pants have so many snaps fitted to them they're almost top-heavy.

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The rear "beach" side, with another cluster of snaps.

 

Not sure why these Trousers are so dang hard to come by, but they definitely are.

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 7 months later...

Here is another one of my collection favorites. US service jacket that belonged to Reade Tilley. Reade was from Clearwater Fl, he joined the RCAF in June of 1940, arrived in the UK in April 1941 where he joined 121 Eagle Squadron in May. He was posted to 601 Squadron in April 1942 where he was one of the daring pilots that flew a Spitfire off the deck of the USS WASP to reinforce Malta. When in Malta he was posted to 126 Squadron. Reade became a 7 victory Ace while flying with the RAF in Malta, earning the British DFC which was presented to him at Buckingham Palace in October 1942. Also in October Reade transferred to the USAAF where he was assigned to 8th AF Headquarters. In the photo attached of Reade he is wearing what I believe to be this service jacket.

 

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  • 1 year later...

The dress uniform (with Theater Made Ribbons) of Lt Gen. Selmon Willard “Jim” Wells, who, among many other things, served as Inspector General of the United States Air Force from 1969-1971.

Wells began his 30+ year career with the US Air Force in late 1941.After earning his Pilot Wings in 1942, he was immediately deployed with the 312th BG to the Southwest Pacific area. He was initially squadron commander in the 389th BS, and was eventually promoted to Group Commander. During the course of WWII, he would fly a total of 140 missions in the famed A-20 Havoc bomber, as well as flying several late war missions in the experimental B-32 bomber.

In November of 1945, after more than proving his worth as a pilot and as a leader, Wells was named Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Fifth Bomber Command HQ.

Later, he would return to the US in 1946 to become the Assistant Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the 12th Air Force. After this, in 1949, he became the Operations Officer for the 22nd BG, where he would fly in 17 combat missions over Korea in that capacity, further proving his superb aviation and leadership skills in combat.

In 1953 his assignment changed to being Deputy Commander of the 9th Bombardment Wing. Wells would retain similar levels of command in different Bomb Groups for the rest of his career, until 1969, when he would be promoted to Lieutenant General and assigned as the Inspector General of the USAF, a position he would hold until 1971. It must be noted that before his promotion to Lt Gen., he volunteered to fly in several combat missions in B-52 and KC-135 bombers and aerial refuelers over Vietnam.

Wells would later retire after a distinguished career that involved combat service in three different wars, 30+ years, and over 10,000 hours of logged flight time.

He would later pass away at the age of 94 in 2010, when his death would be formally announced by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, a highly distinguished honor, and a fitting tribute to a hero of Wells’ stature.

The awards he amassed throughout his distinguished career include:

The Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, three Legion of Merits, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, eight Air Medals, four Army Commendation Medals, a Purple Heart, two Presidential Unit Citations, an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the American Defense Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Army and Air Force Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, eight Air Force Longevity Awards, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the UN Korean Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

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Uniform grouping of Major General Frank Otto Bowman.

Among many other things: Chief Engineer of II and V Corps during WWII, Chief Engineer of the Headquarters of Army Forces Far East, Commander of the US Army Ground Forces of the Ryukus, and Commander of Ft. Leonard Wood.

General Bowman was born on July 27th, 1896 in Mesilla Park in the then Territory of New Mexico where his family had settled in 1877.

Though Bowman stated that his education in this small frontier town was “spotty” at best, given his future accomplishments, it appears to have been quite thorough.

After being sent East to the elite Hill School Preparatory Academy, and studying briefly at New Mexico State University, Bowman was accepted at West Point and continued his education. Bowman would see great academic success during his time at West Point, quickly rising through the cadet ranks to corporal, sergeant, and later lieutenant.

Due to the American entry into the Great War in 1917, and the resulting urgent need for officers, Bowman’s class graduated early in November of 1918 in order to be shipped to Europe as soon as possible. In spite of his tenure at West Point being abbreviated by the War, Bowman still managed to achieve great academic success and graduated 55th in his class of 227.

Unfortunately for Bowman, within 10 days of his graduation, the war suddenly ended, undoubtedly being a disappointing development for Bowman and his fellow cadets itching for a fight.

Due to the conclusion of the War. Bowman along with the other 61 members of his Class assigned to the Corps of Engineers, were detailed as student officers at the Engineer School at Camp Humphreys, Virginia (now Fort Belvoir), for a course in Civil Engineering.

In June 1919, however, Bowman and his friends finally made it to Europe (though too late to fight any Germans), and toured the numerous battlefields of the Great War to learn of the substantial innovations made in military engineering during its duration.

After steadily rising in rank throughout the 1920’s,holding several company commands, and proving his athletic abilities through various shooting competitions and polo matches, in 1934, Bowman was appointed to the Army Corps of Engineers’ National Beach Erosion Board. While serving in this capacity, he was ordered to travel around the United States to survey, measure, and calculate levels of erosion on every American beach from Maine to California, seeing a great bit of the country in the process. After completing his cross country assignment, Bowman also participated in the famed 1941 Army Maneuvers, a massive national war game meant to prepare the US Army for an inevitable war in Europe.

At the outbreak of WWII Bowman was appointed Chief Engineer of II Corps, and later sent to London to become Chief Engineer of American Forces Headquarters Europe, where he would assist in the planning of the invasion of North Africa.

After the successful invasion of North Africa, Bowman was sent to Oran, Algeria to assist in the next phase of defeating Germany, the invasion of Italy. In preparation for this, Bowman was assigned as the Chief Engineer of the Fifth United States Army, and immediately set to work planning the invasions of Sicily and Italy, and seeing their successful implementations through.

After briefly serving as Engineer of Service of Supply in Oran, Algeria, Bowman returned as Chief Engineer of the Fifth Army and served in this capacity throughout the campaign in Italy until the German surrender of 1945. With the war in Europe over, Bowman was ordered to the Pacific Theater and arrived in the Philippines in September 1945. From there he went on to Japan and became the Engineer of the Base Section for all Japan. He held this position until March 1946 when he was transferred to Okinawa as commander of the Ground Forces in the Ryukyus.

In June 1946 he returned to the United States, and after a brief assignment as G4 of the Army Ground Forces in Fort Monroe, Virginia, he was placed in command of the Columbus General Depot at Columbus, Ohio, where he served from September 1946 until October 1949. From that date until January 1953 he was stationed at Fort Belvoir where he was Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff.

Due to his highly successful World War II military engineering experience, Bowman was then selected to become the Chief Engineer of the Headquarters of Army Forces Far East in Zama, Japan.

Finally, after a long and illustrious military career spanning two World Wars and nearly 40 years, Bowman’s last assignment was as Commanding General, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, from April 1955 until his retirement in June 1956.

Following retirement Bowman and his wife Lucy made their home in Carmel, California. However, Bowman was not ready to fully retire and accepted a civilian engineering job in Korea which lasted until June 1959. Two years later he again went to Korea, as Chief Advisor to the Korean Joint Construction Agency until October, 1963. Bowman finally retired for good and devoted his time to golf, reading and civic duties.

He would pass away in 1978 at the age of 81.

His awards include:
The Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Purple Heart, WWI Victory Medal, American Defense Medal, European-North African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with 5 Campaign Stars), Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Korea Medal, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, French Croix d’Guerre, Italian Silver Medal of Valor, Commander of the Italian Order of the Crown, the Brazilian Medalha de Guerra, and the South Korean Order of the Military Ulchi (with Gold Star).

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Uniform of Rear Admiral William Henry Ashford:

1927 graduate of the US Naval Academy, esteemed Naval Aviator, Captain of the USS Midway, Staff Officer and close friend of Fleet Admiral Bull Halsey during WWII, recipient of the Silver Star, and one of roughly 1,900 recipients of the ultra rare Silver Lifesaving Medal.

RADM Ashford began his Naval career after transferring from the University of Georgia to the Naval Academy in 1923. After graduating in 1927, he was posted to the Battleship USS West Virginia as a newly commissioned officer. It was while the West Virginia was docked in Honolulu, Hawaii that Ashford would earn one of the most rarely awarded medals in America.

After realizing one of his fellow officers was drowning, Ashford quickly dove into the harbor to rescue him. After grabbing him and towing him to safety, Ashford was applauded by his superiors for this incredible act of heroism, and recommended for the Treasury Department’s Silver Lifesaving Medal, which he duly received (a valor award more sparingly awarded than the Medal of Honor).

After starting his career with a bang, Ashford attended the US Naval Flight Training School in Pensacola, Florida where he would earn his pilots wings, and would go on to serve as a reconnaissance pilot aboard USS Texas, USS Northampton, and ashore in the Panama Canal Zone. After serving in various dive bombing squadrons aboard USS Langley, Lexington, and Saratoga, Ashford would join his old flight school friend Bull Halsey as his Flag Lieutenant.

Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, Ashford once again joined Halsey as his staff officer aboard USS Enterprise and later as his Chief Air Operations Officer, having direct charge of all areal units under Halsey’s command during operations against Japanese forces on Wake Island, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, and the Gilbert Islands.

It was while serving with Halsey aboard the Enterprise that Ashford would receive the Silver Star for:

“...conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while serving on the Staff of the Task Force Commander during a series of highly successful offensive missions including the attacks on the Marshall and Gilbert Islands, the raids on Wake and Marcus Islands, the Battle of Midway and similar operations from 6 December 1941 to 28 May 1942. While under constant threat of attack by air and submarine, the Task Force to which Lieutenant Commander Ashford was attached repeatedly steamed for protracted periods in enemy waters and in close proximity to enemy territory and bases. Largely due to his skill and determination under fire, only minor damage was suffered from attacking heavy bombers in the Marshall Islands engagement. In addition, he contributed materially to the marked success of the other actions, through which the Task Force came unscathed after inflicting extremely heavy damage on Japanese installations and shipping. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.”

In late 1943, Ashford returned to the US to command an aerial training squadron, and then took command of the Great Lakes training carrier USS Sable, serving in this capacity until the end of the war.

After the conclusion of the Second World War, Ashford attended the US Naval War College, and would go on to command the USS Midway, Atlantic Wing of the Fleet Logistics Support Command, Fleet Logistics Wing, Head of the Long Range Planning Branch, Head of the Air Weapons System’s Analysis Staff, the Office of Progress Review, Chief of Staff for Task Force 7, and Executive Director of Field Activities of the Bureau of Aeronautics.

After Retiring from the Navy in 1956, Ashford spent the rest of his life in the company of his Wife Bette and their numerous children, and would pass away in 1994 at the age of 90.

His Awards include:
The Silver Star, Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, Presidential Unit Citation, Silver Life Saving Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.072782780fd217942cdf3f935dc1bb9e.jpg
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Rare service uniforms - nope, I don't have anything that rare. What I do have is pretty incredible and one would be hard-pressed to find another. While the uniform of a fleet enlisted sailor wouldn't generally raise an eyebrow for most of the collectors, here and understandably so, Fire Controlman 2/c Vincent Gunderson's dress blues are just ordinary. Apprentice Seaman Gunderson joined the Navy in 1940 and, following basic training at San Diego, was assigned to the two year old Brooklyn class light cruiser, USS Phoenix (CL-46) in the fall of 1940. Gunderson played on the ship's baseball team, the "Phoo-Birds" in the Hawaii Leagues in 1941 and was aboard the ship as the sneak attack took place.

Aside from Gunderson's two sets of dress blues (one issued and one tailor-made), there is also a set of undress blues and a flat hat with the USS Phoenix tally. Again, nothing too out of the ordinary. What truly stands out in this group is the early 1940s Wilson baseball jersey in road gray with the athletic felt lettering of the Lucky Phoenix. Read more about Gunderson and this uniform group, here.


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When this jersey arrived, it was the culmination of a ten-year search. Used by the 1944 Pearl Harbor Submarine Base "Dolphins" and, at least on one of the domestic naval base teams, the pinstriped and block-lettered N A V Y jersey is the only example that I have seen in the decade of collecting and researching service team baseball. There is a possibility that this jersey was worn by Storekeeper/Athletic Specialist 2/c Albert Brancato, formerly of the Philadelphia Athletics (he wore the same #30 during several Hawaii League all star games but wore 17 for the sub-base team).

 

Shown below with an assortment artifacts, the Navy flannel was professionally cleaned by a vintage baseball uniform restorer. The photo of Walter Masterson is a vintage publicity shot that was used for game programs and press releases. It is part of a group of photos that came from Albert Brancato's extensive personal collection of wartime mementos, some of which are now in my collection. The spikes, bat, glove, mitt, ball and ballcap are all wartime Navy-used pieces but not linked to the jersey or associated to a specific player or serviceman.

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Specialist "A" 2/c Albert Brancato, Oahu, 1944.

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Hall of fame Cardinals and Giants first baseman, Specialist "A" 3/c Johnny Mize's Hawaii League publicity photo showing the detail of the Navy flannel jersey.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Just spent the entire morning reading through this thread. Quite a few museum worthy uniforms, for sure!

 

Thought I'd throw in a couple I'm the present caretaker of.

 

First, my rarest, an M42 jump uniform named to Sgt. Charles Wahler. Jacket has his original JR Gaunt made jump wings, and British made 101st SSI. Period photo of him in the same uniform. Helmet added for display. 

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