gingerbread Posted January 16, 2007 Share Posted January 16, 2007 New information about my assault vest. I don't remember if it's a Tweedie or a J. A. Shoe, it is in my parents home in Normandy. This assault vest was found in a attic in the town of Montebourg. In one of the pockets I found a medical bulletin with a name Captain Marsico. I never found anything about this captain. Here two pictures, the assault vest when I found it in the attic and the medical bulletin with the name of the Captain Marsico. My interest is all about the US paratroopers in Normandy and Southern France. I like too the FSSF and his action in Southern France. Link to post Share on other sites
David Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Figured I'd add one more vest to this thread. J.A. Shoe 1944 marked Medium. Overall quality of the vest, wouldn say mint, but it's a good example. These pics dont do it justice. They're from when I first received it 2yrs ago and made a quick sloppy attempt at a manaquin while moving. If any other pics would like to be requested, I'll have to see about pulling it out of display from the museum. Link to post Share on other sites
bfryar44 Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 David, Nice "J.A. Shoe" vest you have there. Any chance you could post some detailed photos? Thanks, Bryan “There's not much I can tell you about this war. It's like all wars, I guess.The undertakers are winning.The politicians who talk about the glory of it.The old men who talk about the need of it.The soldiers, well, they just wanna go home.” Jimmy Stewart in Shenandoah Link to post Share on other sites
David Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 David, Nice "J.A. Shoe" vest you have there. Any chance you could post some detailed photos? Thanks, Bryan I'll see about getting over to our museum around lunch to snag a couple quick ones. Link to post Share on other sites
David Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Went by the museum, unfortunately they were busy and couldnt pull the vest out of the cabinet. But I will have some tomorrow afternoon. Any thing specific any one wants? Link to post Share on other sites
stonewaller Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Awesome pictures, thank you for sharing fellas. I'd kill for one of those but i guess finding them is near impossible. How much do they usually sell for? Si Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Willaert Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Two tan Harian made jackets sold in 2006 for 3600$ and 4500$ respectively... That last one was on Ebay Dark ones tend to be a bit more expensive... Haven't seen any for sale in over a year... '29th,Let's Go!' Link to post Share on other sites
teufelhund Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Whos says he's Glider Infantry?Might be 8th IR/4th Div.... He is not a Glider nor a 8th Infantry Div His name is Bill Shanklin from the 101St, but I dont remember the excact unit to which he belonged. They are several other ( posed) pics of him T WOODS NOW U.S MARINE CORPS ENTIRELY, our lines include now the entire Bois de Belleau. Signed, Major Shearer "Skipper" 5Th Marines, 3rd Bat - June 25th 1918 Link to post Share on other sites
David Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Got over to the museum today to get some pics of my vest. Not the best, but I tried to work with what I had for a camera and area. Some pics make the material looks like it has waves or something, this is a photo screw up on my part. One correction I need to make is that it's a size Large, not medium like I had originally stated. I honestly havent got to look at it much the last couple of years, which is a shame. Front Upper front quick release strap Lower left pocket and grenade pocket with grenade tape. This is also in the right side also. Right side shoulder quick release strap. Front bottom Front (angle) Link to post Share on other sites
David Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 Cont'd Rear Upper Pack Rear Lower Pack Manufacturers stamp Upper pack flap Rear Inside, upper portion of pack size marking (bad pic) Inside lower portion of pack size marking Inside lower left waist pocket and waist area Inside lower of pack snaps. Left snap marked "scovill", other snap unmarked. Link to post Share on other sites
bfryar44 Posted September 29, 2007 Author Share Posted September 29, 2007 One correction I need to make is that it's a size Large, not medium like I had originally stated. David, I was wondering about that because I have yet to find a JA Shoe manufactured vest other than size large (with the exception of Johan's which is size small). Great assault vest and thanks for posting the pictures. Bryan “There's not much I can tell you about this war. It's like all wars, I guess.The undertakers are winning.The politicians who talk about the glory of it.The old men who talk about the need of it.The soldiers, well, they just wanna go home.” Jimmy Stewart in Shenandoah Link to post Share on other sites
David Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 David, I was wondering about that because I have yet to find a JA Shoe manufactured vest other than size large (with the exception of Johan's which is size small). Great assault vest and thanks for posting the pictures. Bryan Yeah, I just kinda sassumed medium off my memory since it fit me well and Im not the biggest guy in the book. Link to post Share on other sites
possum Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Question: What are the stupid little straps on the shoulders for? I've bought a repro one, and the straps on the shoulders seem totally pointless. Do they have any specific function, or were they put there, because they "might be useful"? Thanks, Jon WWW.FAAA.ME.UK"Now if there’s one thing you can be sure of, it’s that nothing is more powerful than a young boys wish.Except an Apache helicopter, an Apache helicopter has machine guns and missiles. It is an unbelievably impressive compliment of weaponry. An absolute death machine." Link to post Share on other sites
Jeeper704 Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I think they're to hold the straps or slings of rifles, binoculars, etc. Erwin 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion Link to post Share on other sites
Government Issue Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 Question: What are the stupid little straps on the shoulders for? I've bought a repro one, and the straps on the shoulders seem totally pointless. Do they have any specific function, or were they put there, because they "might be useful"? Thanks, Jon I think they may have possibly used it to keep the straps from the M7 gas mask bag secure around the shoulders. I have heard that most of the first assault wave troops (99% from one source) during the Normandy landings were wearing the Od#7 vests instead of the Khahki produced ones? Is there anyone who has any info on this? Looking for anything related to Army Ranger Battalions from World War II Link to post Share on other sites
REG Posted October 28, 2010 Share Posted October 28, 2010 Found this today Link to post Share on other sites
Broccoli Posted November 19, 2010 Share Posted November 19, 2010 For s long time, there is one OD-7 vest for sale in the shop in St. Mére-Eglise, for 5000 Euros, don't you know if it is a original one? Btw.- wonderfull pictures, I did not know that so many vests still exist.. Frankie Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Willaert Posted November 20, 2010 Share Posted November 20, 2010 For s long time, there is one OD-7 vest for sale in the shop in St. Mére-Eglise, for 5000 Euros, don't you know if it is a original one? If it's the same one I saw the last time I was in the shop, Yes, it is an original Tweedie made example. At Ciney there was another JA Shoe for sale, again for 5K '29th,Let's Go!' Link to post Share on other sites
GITom1944 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Here's a link for some interesting video of a soldier wearing an assault jacket http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675038...British-sailors. He appears at 2 min. in. Can't tell which unit he was with. Clip is of wounded troops being returned to England. Link to post Share on other sites
Johan Willaert Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Great footage, thanks for the link... You can also see some Rangers (marked helmets) as they walk up the ramp... and a GI with a British style Motorcycle helmet.. '29th,Let's Go!' Link to post Share on other sites
RLTW Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Hello , I agree that's a good and interesting video ! Nice find . RLTW Link to post Share on other sites
1944 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Thats an Excellent Video Link there and thanks for sharing it with us Very Impressive :thumbsup: You can also see a Soldier on a stretcher from the 1st I.D Big Red One and 3 Soldiers from the 29th Div climbing off the Boat, along with 3 Visible 2nd Rangers Batt Soldiers wearing there Helmets on walking up the steps. http://www.Paratrooper1944.Com/ https://www.facebook.com/paratrooper1944 IN MEMORY OF IRISH/AMERICANS FROM MY COUNTY.Cpl: Patrick Gallagher, 3rd U.S.M.C Div K.I.A 30/03/1967 Navy CrossSgt: Patrick Nevin, B.Co. 1st Bn, 12th Cav, 1st CAVALRY Div K.I.A 23/02/1966 Link to post Share on other sites
GITom1944 Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 While I'm at it, here's another clip of Rangers boarding LCA's for their trip to the transports: http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675067...g-Craft-Assault. And one more: http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675067...g-Craft-Assault. Various units with assault jackets; the last segment may be 1st Division troops boarding APA45, the USS Henrico. Troops rescued from a foundering LCVP from APA33 USS Bayfield http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675046...l_ship-underway. Link to post Share on other sites
GITom1944 Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 One more: Various assault troops boarding transports. Possibly 1st Infantry Div. troops. One (at 2 min. mark) may have an assault jacket with the pack removed. http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675061...way_combat-gear. Last one for now: 4th Infantry Division troops wearing assault jackets move inland; one carries a pole charge http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675038...-advance-inland Link to post Share on other sites
Justin Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 My assault vest from Normandy (Montebourg). Very nice looking display! Link to post Share on other sites
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