RIGHT out of the woodwork from the veterans son in North Carolina. I do not as yet have this, but it was shipped today. Wanted to post it up....because it'll be going to the Estand, once vetted. I have no doubt that this is 'right as rain' and about as 'documented' a group that you'll find, of a "No sheet" 6th ESB, Omaha Beach (Easy Beach Green) veteran, unmessed with and 'as found'.

 

From what I've been able to discover, 1st Lt Schnur was drafted in 1942 and later either given a battlefield commission, or was commission in the Engineer Corps. He passed away in September, 1990. (He was born in 1921, in Newark NJ, where he was drafted from).

 

I have the following (but lost the pic on this...)

 

Ike Jacket, patched up with ESB patch (Seahorse) on the left pocket, and Army Amphib (Blue) on left sleeve. 9th Army on right as Combat patch.

Tanker jacket. Well worn according to my source, who was going to 'toss it' until I begged that he include it. No patches, apparently but we'll see.

'Bib' overalls. These sound like tankers by his description but won't know until they arrive.

Wool shirt, patched as above.

 

Thats what I don't have photos of....here is what I DO:

 

 

 

The steel pot is gone, I'm afraid.

 

No idea where he got the 13th A/B. It may or may not be in the sale. Everything else in the photo will be though.

 

This is his wallet copy of his DD-214.

 

Close up of the DD-214. The Lt laminated it long ago. It's curled, but still easily readable.

 

There are also approx. 60 photos, all of the Omaha and landing areas. Don't have them in hand yet but will post and scan. Nothing 'gory' I'm told but lots of shots of original fortifications, etc. All apparently either taken by, or developed by, the 6th ESB Intelligence section.

 

His discharge certificate. Also laminated and wallet sized.

According to what the son has related, his father was never wounded but lost many of his first platoon in the initial landing at Omaha. Later on, his jeep overturned, and while he remained un-injured, the other men were killed. This was, apparently, how the crack got in the helmet liner, his steel pot had a huge dent and had to be replaced. He also related that he stepped on a 'dud' bouncing betty mine at one point.

 

These were the only stories his father ever told. Apparently, he was medevaced for combat exaustion at some time during the campaign.

 

I will take detailed photos of the uniforms and more of the helmet, when they arrive. I'll also take photos of the photos.

Very nice Jason! Congrats on the great grouping! Cant wait to see the other items when they arrive.....

From what I've been able to discover, 1st Lt Schnur was drafted in 1942 and later either given a battlefield commission, or was commission in the Engineer Corps. He passed away in September, 1990. (He was born in 1921, in Newark NJ, where he was drafted from).

According to the discharge, your guy received his commission from Officer Candidate School before shipping overseas.

 

I used to work for a guy who had a similar military experience. He was drafted in 1943, went through OCS and the Engineer Officer Basic Course before being assigned to a combat engineer battalion training in the U.S., first as a staff officer then as a platoon leader. He went overseas to England with his unit and landed on Utah Beach about two weeks after D-Day. He built bridges all the way across France, Belgium and Germany and saw a lot of combat along the way. He earned both a Silver Star and Bronze Star for heroism. By the end of the war he was a company commander. And he did all of this before his 21st birthday. Amazing.

That is one spectacular grouping and one amazing lid. Very nice. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Thanks everyone! As soon as I get it 'in hand', I'll post better, and more, photos.

Box was rec'vd today. I'll be posting up pics as soon as I can. Ike is a size 40R and in GREAT shape. The "US", "Engineer" and PUC were all loose with the uniform, I've re-attached them in the old holes. All have the proper 'smooth' backed clasps. 1stLt bars are replacements (the son decided to keep them as well as the ribbon bar) correct for the period and in the same holes as the ones he removed. Not named or numbered.

 

The shirt is mothed but the blue Amphib patch still attached.

 

The 'tanker' looks more like an early pattern Field jacket. Well used but as you would expect. No patches.

 

Overalls...not sure. Have 'star' buttons, snaps, etc. Lined with OD. Doing my research for this group, I discovered that these were likely issued prior to D-Day, if they are what I think they are. Undated/stamped.

 

The helmet liner is right as rain with good honest wear, and a partial remnants of a chinstrap. Marked in white letters on the inside "H R". Does have the damage as is shown in the photo.

 

Lastly..the photos are....'wow'. Shots taken by the S-2 Section of Omaha beach, ESB soldiers working, damaged buildings, most of them marked "Harold Atkins S-2 Section 149th Engr Bn". Some shots also dated during a bridge building on Feb 6th 1945. All are good B&W photos and 100 percent original. As soon as I can get them scanned, they'll go up too. Some 'never seen' stuff for sure, including 2 shots of the ESB HQ at Omaha (with signage!). Just too much to describe at the moment, as I have to run and take my son to a scout meeting.

 

I'll try and post some more pics tonite.

Wonderful score!!! Am looking forward to more pics when you get it all. Really like the liner, a real BTDT and salty piece to have!

Here is the Jacket. The Amphib SSI is still attached about 60 percent. Not sure if the son was trying to remove it, or it's just simply coming off through normal wear. I checked the sleeves, no evidence that I could see of chevrons ever being attached.

 

 

 

 

Showing the tag. This is on the LEFT, as this jacket has two interior pockets.

The shirt. Has some moth tracks but wouldn't detract in a display.

 

 

Showing the moth tracks.

Here's the jacket. Shows honest wear. This one has 'been there'!

 

 

Note the stain. Not sure what this is.

Another jacket pic

 

The coveralls. Are these 'tanker'? They are lined in wool. No markings anywhere I can find. Zippers are 'Talon'.

Button closeup

 

 

The lower zipper opening....only one use I can think of for this NOT a pocket.

Helmet

 

The paint has worn off showing the shell. The sun has made it look an 'orangey' color that it really isn't.

 

 

Left side.

Rear of helmet

 

 

Right side.

Interior

 

Here's the paint marking inside. There is one other marking, a paint 'line', white, nothing on it now.

Well, that's it. I'm still trying to figure out a good way to scan all the pics in so I can post them. The Discharge and DD214 are coated in plastic and rolled, but since I've already posted pics, I didn't want to start playing with them. When I scan the pics, I"ll scan those as well. If someone wants a different shot, or better, just ask, I'll try and get whatever you want.