I wouldn't recommend tap water for any fabric cleaning or restoration. Maybe distilled water.   For hardware elements that can rust, wipe them as clean as you can then maybe some kind of varnish to cover them. If they're removable, would nickel plating be acceptable? I've seen it done enough times on restoration videos for toys and such on youtube.

I believe the SAM patch is like the thai made versions listed on page one. Hopefully this shows that this style of patch was indeed made during the war.  

What is printed on top of the spoon?  I believe the spring and hammer is original WWII vintage but would like to see a pic with hammer in the closed position to confirm.  

Amazing find.  I hope you don’t replace the ribbon.  Perfect as-is.   

Upon joining the Massachusetts National Guard in 1912, Lesise served with B Troop, 1st Squadron of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, known as the “National Lancers”. The Lancers were founded in 1836 as a state militia and would later campaign as companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War. In June 1916, Leslie and the National Lancers were called up and deployed to the Texas-Mexico border as part of General Pershing’s Punitive Expedition to capture Pancho Villa and put an end to Mexican rebel activity, especially raids on American towns in Texas and New Mexico. In July 1917, the unit was federalized and redesignated the 102nd Machine Gun Battalion, and fought in France under the 26th Division. Leslie fought with the Battalion through six campaigns, including the Meuse-Argonne Offesive, St. Mihiel, 2nd Battle of the Marne, and would eventually return home from occupation duty in April 1919. 

Necroposting again, but I have a modified MARPAT in my collection ID'd to a guy from Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Company, 1st Intelligence Battalion with removable tapes and added Velcro squares on the arm pockets.

Yikes. I take it you don’t restore lots of vintage garments (?) That would absolutely destroy this tunic. It’s 80 year-old Palm Beach (linen-like) material. A wash cycle (with bleach on top of it!) would absolutely shred this thing.   When it comes to garments this old, unless they’re of extremely durable cotton and you don’t mind color fade (like say with a khaki service shirt), you always use soak methods, maybe dry cleaning, and never a washing machine.

Every month I treat myself to some quality reading material too, finally got a copy of 782 gear

Just a few small pick ups for me but pretty pleased. The cap is a modern Bancroft, I was curious about the construction of the piece and will be a place holder until I get a decent sized ww2 period cap. A thank you to a few forum members with the assistance with the bird and wings is in order too. I believe the boards are late 40s possibly 50s, same with the boxed shirt bars. 

If the badge has been on the hat for 80 years it should leave an impression on the hat.   Many people call this ghosting.   It looks like there might be some oxidation on the badge, if so that would leave a mark on the hat.   Any oxidation left unabated leaves a green mark and these marks happen over a long period of time.