The cover is part of the m1956 system. As for scratching the paint of I'm not sure... might devalue it for some people but I would wait for someone with more experienced to chime in.

The strap on the outside is for the bayonet.  I was Issued one in 1963 when I was in the 82nd Abn. I had an M14 as the standard small arm.  We painted and repainted the E-tools on a regular  bases, after every use.  The paint was sold in a spray can at the area PX.  Hope this helps.

Sorry for the humor but sometimes that's all you can do. Remember, while the PO is still a subsidized dumpster fire, it's the citizen who felt they had a right to take something that wasn't theirs that is the actual problem.  

Right. The seller stated everything. Crazy. Ken

Sorry I mean Landing craft Higgins boat.   When would someone holding that postion have been discharged from the Navy if his first action had been in August of 1944 to last action early 1945?  

Thanks for posting the pictures.

The 28th lost many NCO's during fighting so it was not uncommon to see a 1st sergeant fighting with their men due to troop shortages during battles like the hürtgen forrest for the 28th. So I was trying to ask if this setup would be unusual ( apart from that the garand is already unusual ). But thank you for this great and broad explanation and info!

Too bad you couldn't have gotten lucky before the other 2 wives.  Just think how much money they cost you and what military items you could've purchased.  On second thought, don't think about that.  Just live in the present and enjoy what you have. :)

What do the wings look like on back?

Steve layed it out pretty well, when it comes to training cycles you might want to look at the ships themselves Of the almost 50 USN APA/LSI, US Army Transport Service and almost 200 USMM Ships that carried troops to Normandy I would read the history of a handful of them and you will see how they bounced from the Med,Pacific and atlantic invasions. The dictionary of Naval ships even includes the ships training for the next landing. Pick  a handful of the Navy attack transports APA and Landing Ship infantry LSI , it will be insiteful.