Pattern 1940 Enlisted Dress Coat 508th PIR 82nd Airborne Division
Item #: WR594
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This is an unidentified Pattern 1940 enlisted dress coat used during World War II. This service coat replaced the one introduced in 1939. 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. 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" half belt, which was replacing the leather service belt. 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 "JACOB REED'S SONS/Cont. W-669-qm-8712/Dated Sept. 5, 1940/Stock No. 55-C-69431/Spec. No. 8-31D/Dated 2/7/1940/Phila. Q.M. Depot and the inspectors number and initials. 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 five ribbons pinned above the left breast pocket, the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze stars and an arrowhead device and the American Campaign Medal. The black and white airborne oval of the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment is sewn above the left pocket. Pinned to the oval are a set of Sterling jump wings that have been theater modified with two bronze stars added to represent two combat jumps. 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 also has three overseas stripes representing one and 1/2 years in combat and two service stripes representing six years of service. Sergeant chevrons complete the left sleeve for insignia. A French Fourrageres is worn on the left shoulder. The right sleeve has the 1st Allied Airborne Army patch and Sergeant's chevrons sewn on it. The "ruptured duck" is sewn above the right upper pocket. There is some moth damage on the coat, by the loser right pocket, right epaulet, and back sides of both sleeves. The stitching is broken under the right sleeve armpit area. One of the lower pocket buttons is missing and the other is detached, but inside the pocket. The 82 Airborne Division is based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During WWII the "All Americans" fought in Sicily, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany, with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment engaged in four campaigns. The regiment earned 1 Presidential Unit Citation, three French Croix de Guerre, the French Fourrageres and the Belgian Fourrageres 1940. The "Red Devils" had one Medal of Honor recipient, 14 Distinguished Service Crosses, 111 Silver Stars and 341 bronze stars awarded to unit members. The Purple Heart, along with ETO ribbon four bronze stars and arrowhead and jump wings with two bronze stars attest to this soldiers service with the 508th. If only we knew who he was. The only identification is a laundry number inked into the lining in the collar, L.A.R. 1424. His service coat has survived in good condition, the issues cited above are small, and will compliment any WWII uniform collection.
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