Identified Pattern 1942 Enlisted Dress Coat 82nd Airborne Division
Item #: WR677
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This is a Pattern 1942 enlisted dress coat identified to John W Wachel of the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II. This service coat replaced the one introduced in 1940. Made of 18 ounce olive drab serge wool fabric, enlisted service coats were dyed a shade of OD #33. The coat was worn with trousers made of the same material, and dyed the same shade of OD #33. The belt loops for the garrison belt and the set of pleats known as "bi swing backs" were removed from the back of the coat. This particular service coat has a contractors label sewn into the right lower pocket. The coat is partially lined and has no inner pocket, only the four exterior pockets. Inside the lower right pocket the Quarter Master tag is ink stamped "COAT, WOOL, SERGE/O. D. 18 oz./CROYDON CLOTHES/Cont. W-669-qm-22998/Dated Nov. 10, 1942/Q. M. C. Tent. Spec/P. Q. D. No. 197/Dated 7/10/42/Stock No. 55-C-69425/39R/Phila. Q. M. Depot and the inspectors line. The coat is very well made, coming out of the Philadelphia Quarter Master Depot. The epaulets have no distinctive unit insignia on them. The brass crossed rifles of the Infantry is on the left collar, and the brass US collar disc is on the right collar. There are three ribbons pinned above the left breast pocket, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze stars and the American Campaign Medal. The ribbons are pinned on individually and are not in the correct order of precedence. The red and orange airborne oval is pinned above the left pocket by the airborne wings. I believe this oval to be for an artillery unit, not sure why it would be worn by this soldier as an infantryman. Pinned to the oval are a set of Sterling jump wings that have been theater modified with a bronze star added to represent one combat jump. The Combat Infantry Badge awarded this soldier is pinned to the left pocket flap, below the ribbons. The left sleeve has the 82nd Airborne Division patch securely sewn on at the shoulder. There are no overseas stripes or service stripes sewn on the left sleeve. There is no rank sewn on either sleeve. A Belgian Fourrageres is worn on the left shoulder. The right sleeve has the 1st Allied Airborne Army patch sewn on it. The American Presidential Unit Citation with one oak leaf cluster is pinned above the right upper pocket. There is some very little moth damage on the coat, a small spot on the left sleeve is about it. All of the buttons on the coat are secured by rings, none are sewn on. The name of Wachel John W. over the service number 32046757 is written on the lining of the collar area of the coat. A quick check shows John W Wachel, service number 32046757, was born in 1915 in New York. He enlisted on 16 April, 1941 at Albany, New York. He is shown being admitted to a hospital in October 1944 for a wound to the arm by artillery fragments. He was returned to duty in December 1944. Clearly more research needs to be done with this uniform. Unfortunately I just don't have the time right now. One thing is for sure, this Pattern 1942 dress coat displays well and will make a nice addition to any WWII collection.
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