US Korean War Grouping Identified to 1LT Emory M. Folmar 2nd Infantry Division
Item #: WR1065
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This is an identified officer's winter service coat used during the Korean War. This service coat replaced the one introduced in 1939. Made of 19 ounce wool elastique fabric, officer's service coats were dyed in a dark shade of OD #51. The coat was worn with trousers made of the same high quality material, but dyed a shade of Drab #54. This combination of service coat and trousers would go on to be known as the "Pinks & Greens". To help give the soldier a little more freedom of movement while wearing this near form fitting coat, a set of pleats known as "bi swing backs" was added to the back of the coat. A pair of belt hooks was also utilized with a 1 1/2" cloth half belt, which was replacing the leather service belt. This particular service coat is a private purchase officers version made by B. Pasquale Co. of San Francisco, California. The coat is fully lined and has one inner pocket, along with the four exterior pockets. The Hamilton label is sewn just below the opening of the inner pocket. Inside the pocket is a label, but it is washed out and no longer legible. A small tag has been stapled just above the hem line on the inside of the coat with a hand written inscription that reads Lt. Emory Folmar. The coat shows beautiful craftsmanship. The epaulets both have the rank of a 1st Lieutenant and the distinctive unit insignia of the 11th Airborne Division. The brass U.S. worn by officers is on the collars, and the crossed rifles insignia of the Infantry is on each lapel. There are six ribbons pinned above the left breast pocket, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with V device and one oak leaf cluster, the Purple Heart, the Army of Occupation Medal, Korean Service Medal with one campaign star and the United Nations Service Medal. An 11th Airborne Division Headquarters jump oval is pinned above the ribbons. The oval is not sewn on, but held in place by the jump wing, which is a Senior Parachutist jump wing. A Combat Infantry Badge is above the jump oval and wing. A French Fourragere is worn around the left shoulder, indicating that 1LT Folmar was assigned to the 23rd Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Division. This regiment is authorized to wear the fourragere for it's actions during WWI. Above the right pocket flap are three unit citation ribbons, the US Presidential Unit Citation, the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. Folmar's leather encased last name tag is pinned to the right pocket flap. The insignia of the 11th Airborne Division is sewn on the left sleeve. Each sleeve has officers braid sewn on the cuff, the left one also has three overseas stripes representing 18 months in combat. The right sleeve has the 2nd Infantry Division patch sewn on it, Folmar's unit while fighting in Korea. There is virtually no moth damage on the entire jacket. The 2nd Infantry Division is a regular Army division that has been in continuous service since 1917. During the Korean War the "Indianhead" division fought in the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter, the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River, the First and Second Battles of Wonju, the Battle of Chipyong-ni, the Battle of Bloody Ridge and the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge. The division earned 3 Unit Citations and eighteen members of the division were awarded the Medal of Honor. There is some research to be done in order to determine 1LT Folmar's post war unit assignments. His 2nd Division unit book shows he was assigned to Company H, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. His "Green" service coat has survived in excellent condition. In addition to his service coat the grouping includes his overseas cap with rank and parachutist patch, his wartime M1 helmet with liner, an 11th Airborne PX table cloth souvenir from Camp Drum, New York, his high school yearbook from 1948 and his 2nd Division "Second to None" unit book from Korea dated 1951-1952, his airborne class book from Ft Benning, Georgia dated 11 April, 1952 and a couple of digital photos of him, one in a jump harness while serving as the Mayor of Montgomery Alabama in the 1980's and another on stage with personal friend Ronald Reagan. This grouping will make an excellent addition to any Korean War, 2nd Division or 11th Airborne Division collection.
Your Price $2,150.00 USD
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