But the SSI is on the combat side... I am unsure if it was maybe different with the US Navy, but wouldn't the active SSI have to be worn on the left shoulder?

@patches, yes I am referring to patch type crests.

They are a standard vest mostly used by crewmembers in the back of cargo helicopters and planes, especially when the ramp is down. It allows them to have some freedom of movement to do their jobs and keep them safely tethered to the aircraft. Some are rigger modified with pockets for survival gear. Often, they are called a monkey harness.

Yes WW2

Your patch looks US made but embellished with the Engineer branch colors by your grandfather.

Thanks for the insight. It adds to the mystery of it. Would it be European made the thread would have been metric. And as you say that the construction is maybe pre-WW2 it makes the knife even more special to me. The area I live is directly directly under the flightpath to Germany and they still find planes in the polders here. So I think I will take it to one of the WW2 museums here...

Greeting.  Any input on history of this vest will be appreciated.

Thanks for the help Don

Do you have better pictures of the rifle?

1726754-04-09-057.pdf