Friends and Neighbors
Lieutenant-Colonel, from my old neighbor Dave Davidson:
This uniform is from a neighbor I had as a very young lad, He seemed old to me, but I was maybe 45-50...I was like 8-10 years old, he had given me many brass items to buy on my shirts and play with I very much realize I lost in the back yard and in the woods, etc. We would be playing Anything-War… And upon his passing of his wife and then him, this uniform came to me, Via my Mom....who had gotten apparently it had been in his will I got this!!!
How cool is that, and there came to be some stories and legend for this man, and I remember him as an insurance salesman or something, I had been over once or twice to ask him the story of his military carrier, but much of it has been lost to time, I did see the picture of him with General MacArthur and some Celebs, from like recognition - event.
It was said it had been 'Macarthur's Aid', and was left behind when the General left Corregidor, but has no POW Medal on the uniform, so I think he was his aid maybe into post-war or the Korean War if so.
These uniforms were being phased out about that time, Army Officer, Summer Dress Whites....for several reasons. His sons both served too I think and had gone on to become officers, that would have been the very late 60's and someone said they served in Vietnam- again I cannot remember other than they wore wonderful fellows. He had served against the Japanese, and in the Philippines was as I remember it.... possibly Europe. His CIB was missing, But-I know he had one as I got it when I was a kid I seem to remember- all kinds of his prior lower ranks- he fixed me up with- and-I put on everyone's shire when we played- can’t believe he did that he had to know I will be...well a little kid without regard to what he had done to earn them.... do regret that now.
Say-What! Ya, His Ribbons bar set, on its cloth backing has a clutch back, that appeared in the late wartime, on it, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star with Oakleaf (indicating 2ns Award), the purple hart (That led to him meeting the nurse that became his wife. Good Conduct medal, American Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, Asia Pacific Campaign (with 2 Campaign Stars) WWII Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal... and Philippines Liberation Medal...that tells a lot what he was recognized for.... what went unnoticed one wonders…He was a wonderful man as I knew him. RIP. Dave.
These uniforms were being phased out about that time, Army Officer, Summer Dress Whites....for several reasons. His sons both served too I think and had gone on to become officers, that would have been the very late 60's and someone said they served in Vietnam- again I cannot remember other than they wore wonderful fellows.
‘Class A’ MP Uniform, From my Friend Tom Mullens:
Tom Mullins, my very good friend, gave me his Class-A Uniform, this was from after his tour was over, I think-and he likely wore it before leavening the service.
I know he served overseas in the 504th MP Battalion (81st Brigade), the uniform had the 3rd Army patch on it, I again have to assume he was maybe temporarily assigned to the 3rd Army, there is a bunch I added...for effect, the artistic license maybe, all the gear and the helmet came separately-as he was likely turned in, and like I so-not in the 504th at the time but must have been in the 503rd at the time to be with 3rd Army....the badge and some bits I added as I thought they would have been.
Close to maybe 40 years ago...or more, I got this from him with a handful insignia, and a near-full uniform on a hanger, looked at it, and hung it away, and moved three times.
As I recall with the Savannah Riot Squad, who had to block protesters and the like. Hand has been overseas to the Republic of Vietnam in the 1969 period, right after the infamous "Tet Offensive".
He also had to deal with the unfriendly welcome home, from our wonderful protesters who gave the greatest insult, quite literally, but not unlike today rioters who are there just to riot and steel, and they had to stand the line while these despicable, servile hippie's and protestors did this, it’s a merocele there were not worse shootings than OHIO State, with soldiers many homes from Vietnam, were still trying to sort things in their own heads, and follow orders.
I think this is correct for the uniform represented, when I got the uniform, I think there were 3 sets of DUI's in the pocket and in a reshoot of the uniform thought about it- and put these on.
I had quickly fumbled around during the 1st shoot...these are for the 81st MP Brigade (DUI’s), I suppose each was used maybe at different times, like when he was just back from Vietnam (after being attached to the 81st Bg. but he may have had the 504th MP Battalion DUI's on there.
The uniform was missing the DI's when I received it, I bought and added the 81st Bg. DI, I am a little confused about what would be correct here. I think maybe the 504 MP Bn. might be what I want? I have bought and ordered these too....so I'm covered one way or the other. Note the Infantry lanyard on the right sleeve. shoulder, and the 504th Patch, on the right sleeve, would point to the overseas assignment to Vietnam, and the unit he served under.
The 504th had arrived in the Phu Tai Valley, in Qui Nhon, on August 31, 1965. While its area of deployment varied during the war, the 504th operated chiefly in the Central Highlands in such areas as Pleiku, Nha Trang, An Khe, and Kontum. When I re-shoot this uniform, the Blue 'Infantry Cord' will go I think, as this is where the white lanyard for his pistol would go.
As it had during World War II, the battalion participated in many campaigns and earned decorations for outstanding service. The MP-Shoulder / Arm Band, Is a nice Stateside example of this item, this is from the 1960s to basically present period style, though it's made of felt-like material, it carries the 3rd Army Patch, that he was assigned to at that time. There was some confusion over the CIB's that go on the uniform, All pertain to different places I guess he was assigned duty, they should have, but this may be another mistake I made when I received the uniform-it was my assumption, though he kept it? I don't think that MPs got to receive the CIB for their time in the country. He also has the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with 3 Stars (He earned 5), and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Leaf. Note the brass Specialists grade on the collar, he finishes as a Spec. 5 though. For the shoot, I added the Military Policeman Pocket Badge, it came from another collection, but recently talked to Tom, he says he did have one, but I’m not sure where it went. The jacket was a standard item for many years, and like all military gear whether functional or not got phased out eventually. having been made from 5-6 mterials.
The mission of the 504th was to provide direct combat support to the tactical units in I and II Corps Tactical Zones (CTZs), as well as military police support as directed by the commanding officer of the 16th Military Police Group. Any supply convoy with more than 50 vehicles had to have an MP security group attached to it. From 1965 to July 1966, elements of the 504th provided military police support in 12 different locations in I and II CTZs. Supporting the buildup and deployment of three infantry divisions, the battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The 504th MP Battalion moved North to Phu Bai in November 1968, then Da Nang in August 1970, and then to Long Binh in 1972 before departing Vietnam on July 31. At its height, the battalion (comprising A, B, and C companies and headquarters) had 650 men and 22 combined patrols operating on a daily basis. As an Army MP battalion, the 504th gave priority to the support of tactical units, being cited specifically for its efforts during the "Dak To" fighting in November 1967 and assistance to the 11th Infantry Brigade in December 1967. During the Tet Offensive in 1968, B Company was involved mainly in sealing off the Pleiku area and defending Camp Schmidt, but it also played a part in the defense of the MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) compound in Kontum. "A" Company saw action in Nha Trang, and elements of C Company assisted two separate convoys that were ambushed in Highway 19 on January 30 and 31. Duties included town patrols, guarding and evacuating of prisoners of war, and highway patrol. The 504th was the only combat MP battalion (except for infantry MP's) operating in Vietnam, until early 1967, Apparently highway elements were eligible for the Combat Infantry Badge. See http://www.historynet.com/ for more of this story. Tom's cap, was a standard-issue at the time for the Class "A” Uniform, made of plastic for use in rain, it has an EM Brass Army Eagle Insignia on the front, and the standard screw-back affair. Used while on duty (On Base) He also Had a Green Overseas Cap for other occasions.
He would have had a whistle so I provided one for the shoot. A black leather polished belt, and (.45) holster and accessories as I think they were used, In World War II, the battalion had participated in a large number of campaigns and earned decorations, and their standard wears the battle streamers for outstanding service.
The .45 is just to help with showing the uniform, It has a white lanyard that looped over his shoulder, the pistol itself for the shot - is a 'Non-Gun' and cannot shoot, but the show's a realistic view of the set-up of the holster on the belt, it’s connected to his cross strap too. this was not part of the original-obviously this is all turned and accounted for when one ends his contract with the US. Army.
The MP 'Army' (And Police) Black Nightstick, for bonking heads when needed. I couldn't find a matching handcuff carrier but it's close-more Police style. But he would have had one on there I should think. The med-kit, all dolled up in black leather is also carried on the belt. Like the uniform the cap ended up in a storage shed for some years, as I had no room to store my collection anymore- that problem is solved again.... but the cap took some wear and tear-still all in all good shape but was like new when I got it. In WWI the caps had been cloth, as the green ones in the post-war stayed, but as the MP often had to stand his post in adverse weather, they became like this, a soft plastic material. Its yellow and green (MP ID Color) stretch band is still in place, and in good shape, the bill to is covered with waterproof plastic material. The inside of the Enlisted / MP Visor (White Plastic) cap.
Honestly-I've ended up with a large box of MP gear, and thus somewhat mixed up over the many years.... but it's in the best shape-so figure it must be the cap. The impeccable helmet line is, as they were gloss black and kept in mint condition, and I'd hate to be the one to scratch it up. Like most the front has the large MP portrayed on it and around the helmet a white and red band. these were seen in other colors as well. The left side carries the 503 number in a very distinct military way. The Right Side of this helmet liner has the 3rd Army insignia on it. The uniform would have been finished with matching slacks like trousers, bloused with black boots or strait with black shoes.
Note: ‘Fix’ Tom Mullens name tag, I think I spelled it wrong! real swift move there.
Sergeant, Cyrus Lee, B Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd AD at the Fulda Gap, Germany 1980-82:
Sometime after meeting my friend Cyrus, I stopped by his home, and I eventually got a bit of a story about some of his military career, and some of the events of his Army life, a story of a special few of US Soldiers, had obtained some camouflage clothing from there German Allies, and there position at the Fulda Gap and their position as a reconnaissance outfit on Germany's border.....during the Cold War. This interesting story of this uniform shows the only un-official utilization of the Bundesgrenzschutz camouflage uniform with US troops in the Cold War. Ok as he tells it’
I enlisted in the U.S.Army in early 1979 when I hit the end of my savings while trying to find a job as a teacher in Portland, Oregon. Later on, in my life, I would find from my brother, that it was the worst time in Portland’s history to look for a job, that he, a lifelong resident, could recall. He was sure about that! First I poked around at the Navy, as I had been in the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps in High School. I was looking at following in my Fathers Footsteps in the Aviation field.
But what I really wanted was to get to Europe and go through Germany. Collecting German wartime material was a major interest and I had spent a summer in France. Never got to any ‘Battle Sites’, but loved driving through the countryside, loving the Europeans, and their Country. I walked into the Army Recruiter and told him, I was interested in Germany, and combat arms. They took me to lunch, and told me I was in luck and could get me right in, as a combat infantry soldier, and stationed for 2 years in Germany!…… And I signed on the dotted line.
After Basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and Infantry training at Fort Benning Georgia, I was winging my way across the Atlantic in a Boing 707filled with soldiers and their dependents. Landing in Frankfurt I was In-Processed and assigned to the 3rd Armored Division, the 3rd Brigade was garrisoned at Coleman Kaserne in Gelnhausen.
Our Battalion was to be in the ‘Opposition Forces’ (OPFOR) rot the giant REFORGER (Return of Forces to German) named Cursaider ‘80. Hosted by our Allies the Brits we loaded our vehicles onto flat-cars and headed I was a ‘Specialist’to Northern Germany, home of the BOAR or British Army on the Rhine. I was a Specialist Fourth Class, assigned as a ‘Track Commander’ of one of the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC). It was Fully-Tracked and made of Aluminum Armor to be light, and Amphibious, it could traverse all terrains, and keep place with its counterpart the M-60A-3 Main Battle Tanks, “Track” B 3/3 Carried an M2 Browning .50 Calibre Machine Gun in a small cupola, and carried a Dragon Wire Guided, Anti-Tank Missle System on it, and carried and Infantry Squad in it. Our job in OPFOR was to act the part of the ‘Red Army’ was the mission.
Fake Quad-Gun configurations were added to some of our vehicles, while the infantry troops were supposed to ride standing up in the back, to simulate how the Russian troops sit in their BMP vehicles like the Russians are such chumps that they would do that? And the BMP’s have 76mm guns and better armor to protect them, complete with rifle ports! It was a great month hanging with the Brits in garrison and for me, I met a guy from Manchester, John “Ski” Milejski, I ended up traveling with and being good mates for many years!
One thing that really got to me was the British use of camouflage combat uniforms! I wheeled and sealed for some of those, and started to ask our chain of command why we didn’t wear these? I had come to Germany with a set of ERDL camouflaged ‘Cammie’ uniforms and wore them on occasion, this is another story (They had been phased out actually following Vietnam), But when I was in, the Fatigue Greens was the gig, cammies were not unknown, as we wore it on our helmets all the time.
We were told back at the NCO academy that we were supposed to improvise, and overcome stuff like this, in the field, one instructor used brow nad black Kiwi shoe polish for making his camouflaged uniform. During a session with the USAREUR Command Sergeant Major, we were told new camouflaged uniforms were under development. When I got back from the NCO-Academy I was assigned as a new squad leader, with 3rd Squad, 3rd Platoon, the “Third Herd” of B Company.
I decided I needed to do something to make my mark, so on a Saturday visit to the Frankfurt Flomarkt (a sort of Flea Market) I was able to buy a whole duffle bag full of German Border Guard Camouflaged uniforms, from a rags merchant. The Camouflage pattern was very nearly the same as the Tan and Water pattern of the WWII period! (That is excellent camouflage), and that these might give my guys an edge in the coming MILES exercise.
MILES is like a giant laser-tag game for soldiers, where you shoot blanks through your weapons, and that activates a laser in the barrels plug on the end, and that activated whoever your shooting at’s Miles harness - detectors, and yours and his start making all kinds of squealing noises until you remove the key from your weapon, and the “Umpire” reset the system, preventing soldiers going back into the fight. A pretty cool system for the 1980s.
I issued the camo uniforms the night before, and when we hit the patrol course the OPFOR guys bitched that they couldn’t see us! (The Point). I also did some crazy shit, like not move along the main routes or access roads, I had my guys way out in the woods. Instead of direct assaults on sentries, I had my ‘Daniel Boone Guy’, he was from the Mountains and knew how to hunt, go sneak around behind them and go commando on them., clear the area of the mines. On the last bunker, the highlight of our show, we low crawled, really slowly till we were just about on them, like a wild animal and its prey, we just rose up out of the weeds, and the game was over. Again cries went out over not being able to see us! The NCO in charge bitching-we cheated, that Lees troops wore camouflage it was un-fare!
From that time on, through the rest of my time with B Company until I was ordered to a staff NCO job facilitating battalion training, my squad wore the BBS Camuoflge every time we went into training. We were written up in the “Stare’s and Stripe’s” Magazeen for the use of the camouflage by B3/3 during the training course.
During the training rotation in Grafenwoher I decided to paint up our track. We masked up and painted an SS Totenkopf under the driver’s hatch. Again my guys had a morale boost than no other squad had. The officer corps worshiped the German Military of WWII, as they had fought the Russians and well they lost, it was against enormous odds, and, now they were allies!
So if it was German it was good! We often had locals toss us beers as we road marched through the German villages and towns meeting the Veterans who lived there. Eventually, though, pressure from higher command came from up the chain of command, not originating in our Battalion, and my Platoon Leader called me in and told me, Sergeant Lee, you have to lose the ‘Jolly Roger’. I took the hint and went back and told the crew, and so we painted it black. You could still sorta see it, but we complied with our orders (There was black in the paint scheme).
My active duty time came to an end in 1983 when I took a European separation. My wife was working for the Department of Defence Schools, and so that Summer we took a 3-month European camping adventure, which we still refer to as” Endless Summer” that took Kim, our first German Shepard Elsa, and me around the edges of Western Europe in a bright green Peugeot 104. After that, I started work as 3AD’s Class II & Class IV Supply Wearhouse Supervisor. Other jobs came along with a lot more European Adventures, but that is all other stories.
The 3 photos, at the bottom, are his, and show a very special group of fellows: As I remember it, he said: Mostly we wore West-German jackets. 'We never wore a Boonie cap or trousers made from that 'camo'. I had a cap but most of the time you wear your helmet (M1C rebuilds) in the field and those had the standard US. camouflaged cover.
One day I talked about putting this into the collection, And I thank You, Cyrus, you did, and, for sharing this interesting story, and thanks for the pictures, of that time in your life. He mentioned he just wanted the uniform represented right, it is his story, so hopefully, I have it right.
Note these photographs were from Cyrus Lee, from his time in Germany, and used with his permission.
