The Cold War Army 1945 through the 1970s
7th Service Command, Corporal, Barracks Dress:
Service Commands were not for the movement of supplies. They took up the prewar "Corps Areas" when the Army's Corps were sent overseas to where the War was being fought. Their job was to process civilian draftees, and send them to training camps, operate stateside hospitals, and provide Military Police to guard POWs now coming into the United States for interrogation and contained in camps, as well as watching the Japanese-Americans in internment camps, where they had been taken from their homes and everything they owned became confiscated and sold off, the Japanese here had suffered due to their-prior country's actions.
These were the people behind the lines, operating stateside, they moved a lot of paper, but they sis more than that, all the way across the country. they were in the background getting things done. The Service Commands operated with the Ground Forces of the US. Army, and the Air Corps part.
As the men were rushed off to fight the war these positions were taken up by young women, and some of the Commands were made up of 70-80 and 90% women (WACs), these women did their jobs well too, and served proudly, happy to have the job in many cases, and for many of those- their men were overseas somewhere.
This uniform represented here- is a male cut (Some women received these, as their uniforms had much more of a shapely cut to them. This was a male though I should think, and maybe very good with communications, or had special clearances to operate with. Not a high rank for a specialist, it is not completely clear what his job was. Maybe a lineman.
I will note as well, that like many women who served in the 'Service Commands', it is hard to find pictures of WACs wearing the patch. I do not know why. However, there were many who must have worn Command patches.
I was told this is a Signals School lapel insignia (DUI), from a present-day Army Soldier but he was not sure, nor am I. I Can’t find anything on DUIs for the Command either. and I don't see it under Como-units. So? It is a unique uniform wish I could give you more info on it, but there just is little written about the Service Command Operations in the United States during this time.
The design of the shoulder patch was arbitrarily selected to represent the 7th Corps Area Service Command. White, being a mixture of all colors, was selected for the reason that Corps Area Service Commands may be composed of all arms and services. The geometric design represents the Command's numeric designation.
Officially their job was to 'Provided services and supplies to meet military requirements except those unique to the Army Air Forces. But as said before they were not 'Supply' people, the Seventh was headquartered in Omaha, NE, from 1936 to 1946 and seems to have been retained to the North American Theater of Operations (Continental United States).
This places this uniform in processing, not having the purple heart, it would appear coming home or coming back from leave. Many did not get these Repot-Depot patches in WWII, they were with their outfit from the time they got there, till the war was over, and the entire unit shipped out, or the unit disbanded.
Having served in a prior battle with the 24th Division, He now sits at a Repo-Depot. So, this is a good representation of one of the men who had likely finished his - time in the war and was on the way home, in the transitional time, a soldier often left his unit, and was sort of in limbo, going through the processing of getting back to the States, and Home, but they were lost, with no remediate place to go, without their buddies or the team.
82nd ABN. DIV. Col War into the 1950s:
The Airborne theory still very much applicably in the late 40's the ability to take down slow transport aircraft became easier- and radar-guided. The argument today of whether is there a need for Airborne Forces is an argument, as a handheld 1-shot missile could basically take down a plane from 10-even 20,000 feet, -do jump where there are guys with missiles...then you're away from your objective... I don't know the answer.
But I think it was about this time it was becoming a requirement in the building an officer too, and the school still exists, if nothing else it does build well-disciplined soldiers and a tight group of well-trained people. and there is Airborne by itself, but also applies to "Airborne" Rangers, wherein WWII These were separate assault or raider-type operations the Rangers of today have Airborne qualification as a mandatory element in their training, so does Special Forces have Airborne School a pre-request to SF Training.
The division returned home to the United States on 3 January 1946 on the RMS Queen Mary, a hell of a way to depart from Europe and end their War. They arrived in New York City marching in a giant Victory Parade, many men then left the service, tired of war, and the army, wanting to try their hand from where they left off... In 1947, the 555th Parachute Infantry Battalion was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. Soon re-designated the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The division was one that was retained while many were activated and dissolved.
It seems the owner of this jacket, served in WWII, and for some time served stateside, likely in the training role, and ready reaction forces, the 82nd was not slated for Korea in 1950 but was on stand-by. I'm going to guess this soldier retired before then though. The 82nd found a permanent home at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, it’s a permanent part now of the Army, sort of absorbing Ranger training Operations as is the 101st Airborne, had been an Air-Mobile designation in the '60s, retains an Airborne designation. The *2nd was designated a Regular Army division on 15 November 1948. The 82nd never deployed to Korea during that war, apparently both Presidents Truman and Eisenhower it was better to keep them stateside strategically, in reserve if an event of a Soviet ground attack were to break out anywhere in the world. The 82nd Airborne used their war-hardened NCOs and Officers to train their restructured forces during the 1950s and 1960s the intensive training, and intense exercises, keeping the troops very sharp, operating in different environments and locations, hot and cold including Panama, the Far East, and the continental United States.
On a more played down note, in April 1965, the "All-Americans" entered the civil war in the Dominican Republic, and the 82nd deployed there in Operation Power Pack. This troop Had a full year of WWII, and at least 3 to 4 years in his first Enlistment, he has a ruptured duck present on the right chest, maybe wearing it for parades for a while or other events, but most jackets hang in the closets eventually going into a box and lost to time. But all this is an important part of history, a point in time, of these men's lives. We need to know what they did for the world, and not give up or freedoms they fought for and stood ready to protect. In 1957, the division implemented the pentomic organization (officially Reorganization of the Airborne Division (ROTAD)) in order to better prepare for tactical nuclear war in Europe. Five battle groups (each with a headquarters and service company, five rifle companies, and a mortar battery) replaced the division's three regiments of three battalions each.
11th Airborne Division, Early Cold War:
General MacArthur had slated the 11th Airborne Division for the proposed invasion of Japan, and it was assigned to the Sixth Army's operational reserve, basically a backup reserve group, that would quite likely be called had the invasion happened, there is no doubt it would have been a 'Blood Bath' of Biblical Proportions. However, with the end of hostilities in the Pacific Theater due to the surrender of Japan, the division was instead selected by General MacArthur to lead the American forces into Japan for the occupation. August 1945, the 11th had received orders that they were not going home but going to do Occupation Work, and soon on their way to Okinawa in August 99 B-24 Liberator bombers and 350 C-46 Commando as well as 150 C-47 Dakota transports began a massive airlift, some 11,100 men and 120 various vehicles i/e they moved 1.1 million pounds of equipment.
The 11th Airborne remained on Okinawa for several weeks before,[74] on 28 August, it was ordered to land at Atsugi Airfield outside of Yokohama, on the main Japanese home island of Honshu. Their orders instructed them to go in and secure the area, evacuate all Japanese civilians and the military personnel gathered up in a radius of three miles (4.8 kilometers), and then occupy Yokohama itself. Later the 11th Airborne Division was moved from Yokohama to Northern Japan, there they established camps along the coast of Honshu some elements would go to the island of Hokkaido.
But they did not get to stay in Japan like the others stationed in their 11th AB. Was ordered in a hurry to go to Korea, So immediately the 187th Glider Infantry Regiment (renamed the 187th Airborne Infantry Regiment) with the 674th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion, re-formed as a separate Regimental Combat Team (RCT). And the 187th RCT deployed there, they would stay for two years. The actuality did two airborne operations, but the rest of the time was all conventional infantry roles. The elements left in the States, went into the training role, they did that, having processed and trained thirteen thousand recalled reservists by December 1950. The 187th RCT. stayed in Korea until 1 October 1953, when they went back to Japan on occupation duty, they did that for two years. They returned to the United States on 17 July 1955, replaced by the 508th RCT. But now they were an independent unit of its parent division.
Many C-54 Sky-masters took them to Atsugi Airfield they traveled with the 27th Infantry Division, which was airlifted into Japan at the same time. Then 11th Airborne Division went to Germany in 1956 as a part of Operation Gyroscope, they replaced the 5th Infantry Division garrisoned in Augsburg and Munich. But they were turned around on their way there, and the 187th RCT was sent to Fort Campbell.
In July that year the 187th, along with the 508th ARC, was transferred to the newly reactivated 101st Airborne Division. Now the American Army began to restructure its organization and the battalions of the 187th were reorganized as Airborne Battle Groups (known as the Pentomic Concept).
Note: the cap here, these were given to the troops as they finished 'Airborne Training School', and then often put in the closing, and rarely used again, the fatigues being the common wear more and more.
In early 1957 the lineage of Company A, 187th AIR was redesignated as HHC, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry, and administratively transferred (less personnel and equipment) to Augsburg to join its former parent formation, and formed from existing personnel and equipment of the 11th Airborne Division. HHC, 2d Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry, formed from the lineage of Company B, 187th AIR remained with the 101st until 1964 while the 3d Battalion was inactivated.
11th Air Assault Division developed their skills and refined air assault tactics and the equipment required to operate effectively in that role. The 187th and 188th were some of the first to effectively test the use of helicopters in various exercises, testing them as a command-and-control vehicle, in platoon and battalion type maneuver operations, and the use in scouting, also aerial resupply, assessing their ability as a new combat aircraft. But then the division was inactivated, this was the final time on 29 June 1965. The colors and subordinate unit designations of the 1st Cavalry Division were transferred from Korea to Fort Benning, Georgia, where they were used to re-flag the 11th Air Assault Division and the 2nd Infantry Division then into the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Thus, they were an element in the very structure of the new Division Sized-Airmobile Concept, it would be used on a much larger scale and proved doable and effective in the coming Vietnam deployment. It’s odd here the CIB is on the pocket flap and should be above the Jump Wings. Im thinking I’ll change this.
95th signals cold war:
The 95th Had been activated too late for the 1st World War but managed to find another war to serve in WWII. They Fought in Europe from August 1944 to the end of hostilities They earned the nickname ' The Iron Men of Metz' title in Germany…Demobilizing in 1945. They had lost some 1,205 Killed in Action, 4945 - WIA's, and 61 MIA, 380 became POWs.In 1949 they were disbanded and did not operate during the Korean War. But in April of 1958 they became a 'Training Division' in the Army Reserve, and again major reorganizing began, Training would become their business. From Advanced Individual Training to advanced Infantry Training, Artillery, Communications, Artillery, Common Specialist training Etc.
And in the Cold War, they were resurrected. Being Reactivated on 13 May 1947. It was a Reserve Unit but was not used in combat duties. After WWII they were going through some major changes, and reassignments, and did not go over to Korea in the early 1950s either. During WWII the unit’s men were very decorated, 1 MOH, 18 Distinguished Service Cross Awarded, 14 Legion of Merit medals, 665 Silver Stars, 15 Soldiers Medals, and2,992 Bronze Stars, with 162 Air Medals! The Unit also received the Presidential Unit Citation.
In 1967 they were reorganized once again and then spread across the States of Oklahoma, (1st and 2nd Brigade), in Tulsa, 320th Engineers at Oklahoma City, the 3rd BG. was in Stillwater, the 4th Brigade went to Louisiana. The committee Group was in Little Rock Arkansas.
The 95th Support Battalion was headquartered in Midwest City, Oklahoma with the Division Headquarters, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 95th Division Leadership Academy, and the 95th Division Maneuver Training Command, in 1996 the received 3 more Brigades and is still a major training center.
The blouse and cap depicted here would have been from the 50s era, exactly where and when I am not positive., but some of the blouse and cap depicted here, would have been from the 50s era, exactly where and when I am not positive., but somewhere stationed in the US. I would think, maybe still in Arkansas. Here stationed in the US. I would think, maybe still in Arkansas.
11 Corps, Staff Sergeant, late 1950s to Early 1960s:
American, post-Korea, Pre Vietnam Era, Khaki Dress Shirt, from the 11 Corps, he's a Staff Sergeant, late 1950s, Early 1960s Stateside duty I think, The uniform style was going from summer khaki dress and winter olive dress to the new Class A style of dark green, and later a light green shirt, this was the era still using the khaki shirt. Then the unit disappeared before we officially deployed to Vietnam in 1965. The picture at the bottom is an Airborne, Captain, but I think this uniform would have worn the khaki trousers as well, as a summer base uniform.
Lieutenant, 1st Logistics, Support Command:
The fact is without the 1st Logistical Command. There would have been no way they could have the building up Prior to 1965, as well as after it. The Army's ground forces and vehicle maintenance parts, and supplies were moved by the Army's Pacific Command by the U.S. Army Support Group, Vietnam, they served under the 9th Logistical Command in Okinawa. But even more, as needed.
One downside of supporting South Vietnam only had two deepwater ports. There was Da Nang large controlled by the Navy, the U.S. Navy used to provide logistical support to the Marines in I Corps, and the other was in Saigon, where most of the imported goods came in for the Vietnamese.
So, the 1st Logistical Command was called up to go to Vietnam. They had been formed and served in the Korean War, they came together at Fort Hood, Texas, and began their deployment, to Saigon on April 1, 1965. The decision to build up a major port at Cam Ranh Bay was made by USARV. They would use the DeLong pier, as they had large hydraulic lifting devices. It was the US. Army engineers that would be used to put it together. Cam Ranh was finished in record time, and it was magnificent. Soon Qui Nhon and Saigon built up too. It became known as Newport. At one point the 1st Division Log. The command was processing some 70,000 tons of incoming material per month, which increased to 700,000 tons a month, from ship to shore to where it was to be used.
The big harbors and the amount of material coming in fueled the war and made the 1st Logistical Command grow and was made up of smaller Separate Support Commands out of Saigon, Cam Ranh, and Qui-Nhon. Then in 1968, Army units began working with the Marines up in I Corps out of Da Nang. Note: On his collar is the 'Corps of Engineers in its subdued foremast, the Regular engineers helped and keeping to roads open, by grading and oiling them and looking for mines, the Corp of Engineers built up and repair port facilities, using dredges, and barges, pile drivers, etc.
Each support command operated independently and was used in maintaining a constant flow of equipment to the various combat zones. The 1st Log's Main Logistical Operations Control Center was in Saigon.
Note: Lieutenant WEBB's insignia is all-similar, except the 'ARMY' tape is slightly different, and the 1st LOG patch is a country-made item. The problem with the HQ Control Center was it could not be located all in one building, it was distributed throughout the city causing a very big problem for the star, by 1967, 1st Log headquarters was moving to Long Binh, thirty kilometers northeast of Saigon, and also USARV. would also make a home there.
The 1st Logistics, Support Command was the largest single unit, served in the Republic of Vietnam. some 50,000. troops were there by the middle of the war. This Lieutenant may have been stationed dockside, at the start of the logging, lifting and moving whatever was coming off the ships. Rather than at the end of the line, out in the fields and to the Helicopter bases and forward firebases and the like.
Duce and a half cargo truck: Truck drivers being a part of every war since World War I, but the folks protecting those trucks, became more and more important, and today there is a huge, amount of people and vehicles used to protect this vital operation of support for the man in the field.
The Deuce and a Half 6 x 6 Truck: The 5 and 1/2-ton trucks of the Vietnam conflict, were nearing the end of their careers, yet they had been a long line of trucks that had changed the outcome of WWII and used in Korea, having been upgraded threw a couple of different styles-they were the toughest trucks ever. Like the Huey Helicopter- the Deuce and a Half Truck-everybody knew what they were, and did-they were the ride in and the ride out much of the time.
Prior Duty Patch is from the 90th Infantry Division the “Tough Ombres”, fighting with them into Germany at the end of the war, he continued on serving in the military. He is wearing 7 WWII Ribons, including the Legion of Merit, Bronz Star, American Defence, American Campaign Medal, Pacific Ribbon with Campaign Star, Europe, Mediterranean, Africa Campaign, with 4 campaign Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Occupational Duty. then the National Defence Service Medal, and the Korean War? Service ribbon. So while he carries no Combat Badge, He was obviously involved in a lot of combat operations and 5 campaigns. So he is pretty decorated for his service.
Master Sergeant, ALASKA GROUP /Finance 1960s or into the 70’s:
I guess it was in the mid 50's the 'Olive' green (Barracks) uniform, became a different cut, call it an upgrade, to new materials, deemed lighter, cooler, or warmer, the Class 'A' came of age, and was used on the base, and at work at the 'office' type work, and for going walking out Occasions, or travel or ceremony's, etc.
The 'Green Class A Uniform' has been sometimes said to come out of Korea, and was in use from 1954 to 2010, it replaced the winter olive and summer khakis of the '40s and '50s with a dressier look and light material. However just but a year after the hostilities 'Officially Ended' fair to say a lot of the Korean War Veterans had issued them as seen here.
This style of "Class A" uniform stayed with the Army for some time, I want to say into the '80s maybe, '90s, but I am not entirely sure. They have gone back to the pinks and greens, that’s popular with the AAF in the 1940s. 195os so got me, it’s about getting funding I’m sure..
During the cold war, there was intensive training for many troops, and many rotated through the Alaska Bases for various infantry/mountain training and winter vehicle training, to airborne and nuclear/biological training. On the right breast, he has a Republic of Korea-Unit Citation Ribbon. and his name tag.
His CIB is followed by the Top left ribbon the Good Conduct Medal, with several knots on a rope, and the Occupation Medal. First on the bottom, is National Defecate's first blight blue and white ribbon, which is for Korean Service (with 3 battle stars), and the second UN Service (Korean war was un-declared) in 1951-53. I believe they had occupational duty in Korea as well.
The Patch on his left sleeve is from the Alaskan Command, called 'ALCOM', it is a joint/ subordinate unified command, of the United States Northern Command, of our Armed Forces, that is responsible for all operations in, and around the state of Alaska.
This was known as the Hourglass. This sleeve represents his prior or original assignment, he may have found himself in Japan after the surrender in 1945, the division being stationed in Japan, then sent to Korea, and with the event of the North invasion, in 1950 was one of the very first units in action.
The 7th Division also took part in the Inchon Landings in Korea, and then in the advance to the north, until when, the Chinese forces attacked, and pushed them back, with horrendous losses of the enemy, their sheer numbers raised hell with Allied Forces. With the rank of Sergeant Major, I'm going to have to guess, that this fellow did some of that action. The Chinese Counterattack almost overwhelmed them, it decimated them, the division scattered, in front of human wave assaults, massive numbers of Chinese row after row soldiers piled up as they fired their machine guns and artillery, but they kept coming to tell the weapons melted or ran out of bullets and they fought with a knife and swinging their rifles. And calling in air power. and one little bar shows that on the sleeve.
The Alaskan Command's job, basically, is in maintaining air sovereignty (Control), and deploying forces for worldwide contingencies as directed by the Commander of US Northern Command. The Alaska Command provides support to federal and state authorities during civil emergencies, and for conducting joint training for the rapid deployment of combat forces. The Command is integrating the US. Army, Navy, and Air Forces under one control system, for efficiency I suspect and (For a long time) the Russian Cold War Threat, and for preparedness 'Alaskan' conditions they still train and have bases there. Note the long row of service stripes each being like 3- and 4-year stints.
As of recent, 'ALCOM's total forces involves more than 19 thousand US. Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard personnel, as well as National Guardsmen and Reservists it is said. Just Recently, the 'Command Representative' for a Missile Defense position was created, it is to be the center of Ground-Based Midcourse Defense decisions in Alaska, it still works with the Alaskan Command of ground forces and, the long reach of the missiles at the Alaskan NORAD Region, as well as the Eleventh Air Force.
Note: A lot of credit for the stories and research comes from Wikipedia, don't ask me I'm no expert- go to https://en.wikipedia.org and they have great information and cover a huge matter of data. And donate there, the free encyclopedia at their site and we need to keep it around.
Alaska Training: Winter training, is tough stuff, man was not made to live in the wild there- but they can, and they do, and under battle conditions...must be really something, then imagine the possibility with airborne, and armor forces, missiles, even being the supply truck would be rough.
Still going strong. You'll find the Striker Brigades there going through maneuvers, these would not be the conditions you want to fight in, but long fields of fire, and fast maneuvering vehicle's (Hopefully with heaters) makes a lot of sense shoot and scoot, but the training help condition you for anything, you may get a warmer clement, but you still have to listen, command, maneuver, be ready, and disciplined in the execution of whatever mission when the order is given., so you train constantly.
Specialist, Military Policeman, VII Corps, Germany 1960's:
Based in Stuttgart the VII Corps, had the 14th Military Police Brigade assigned to it, and the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade, both located in Ludwigsburg. The VII (US.) Army Corps was one of two principal corps, assigned to the United States Army Europe (USAEU) during the Cold War in the '50s and '60s. The 7th Corps was activated back in 1918 in preparation for World War I, shut down for 20 some years it reactivated in time for World War II, and then it would come back for the Cold War. In 1951 VII Corps redeployed back to the United States, It would serve in the Gulf War in 1991, but has been deactivated since 1992.
This jacket and cap show a uniform from the '60s, and I guess that means state-side use. In the 40's it was assigned to the Seventh Army and stayed there through the Cold War. That became part of USAREUR and was headquartered at Kelley Barracks in Stuttgart, West Germany till the Korean War broke out. Now once again, much like the 4-pocket jacket, and even the Ike jacket of the 1940s-50s, the green class A uniforms, were everywhere, all soldiers had issued them, some wore them like suits, and to work in the office, but many still did their work in the fatigues of the tome, M-56-and I assume changes were still green for some time till the BDU's came along.
So, the MP uniform in the 1960s period would follow suit, they were a proud, and well-trained bunch, their mission was much like police but more and militarized. The customs of the WWII uniform overlapped here MP often retained the white belts, and leggings, while the web gear was new manufacture-they looked the same, here the white visor cap was no longer wool, now plastic, thought to be better for wear in the rain I suppose.
The uniform carries ribbons for the Vietnam War on it, I hope they work right, they did not come with it, dating to the late 1960s.
4th ARMY, Stateside, Winter Training:
The Fourth United States Army has no combat record. It remained in the Continental United States during World War II, largely responsible for the defense of the West Coast. side 1950's:
I was decided to use the '4th Army' while located on the Pacific Coast to train tactical units to operate efficiently in combat and prepare the coastline for possible defense against the Japanese.
General Wainwright, a former WWII POW, had been captured and had been moved from prison camps in the Philippines, China, and Formosa, and served and came home. He was commander of the Fourth U.S. Army at Fort Sam Houston from January 1946 tell his retirement from the Army in August 1947.
During the 1960s, the Fourth Army operated "Tigerland", an infantry training school at Louisiana's Fort Polk to prepare new recruits for infantry combat in Vietnam.
The 4 leaves of the Clover indicate the # of an 'ARMY' Size unit, the 'Army-Level of the patch indicated by the red and white colors. With “Leadership" and that in base "And Integrity" on their DUI (insignia applied to base uniforms) implies their role in training soldiers and the making of officers. I imagine this was their primary duty, and that's what they did continued till their stand-down.
I just can't seem to dig up any real story for the unit during this time, but I must have been there on the West Coast, the uniform jacket and hood had come to be in the 1944 time of WWII, but is often related to the winters of the Korean War, often seen worn under the helmet. No matter how I tied this thing-open or closed...it looked pretty goofy but staying warm was the idea and think it worked pretty well for that.
In July 1971, the Fourth Army was disbanded and consolidated with the Fifth United States Army at Fort Sam Houston.
The helmet has a large '4th Army' insignia painted to the front, something is rarely seen unless he had been on a drill team, or maybe the honor guard or something, or some position of recognition. I don't know how often webbing was used stateside and appears it's been heavily used, in contrast to his crisp jacket, one issue old stock I suppose.
While the helmet was good, but worn state, the liner received the refurbish treatment, I wanted everything useable so to speak, but you may say kept the patina of it.
97th Infantry Division, the 1960s:
EDITING … In July of 1962, the 97th division's, Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop was turned into the 3rd Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 193rd Infantry Brigade, thus they were relieved from the 97th Infantry Division and, withdrawn from the Army Reserve, they were then allotted to the Regular Army.
The 3rd Platoon, 97th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop then became the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, of the 194th Infantry Brigade. The unit was reactivated later in August 1962, while operating in the Panama Canal Zone. Then near the end of December 1967, the 97th Army Reserve Command was activated, at Fort Meade in Maryland. there were three medical units from the 97th ID that were deployed to Vietnam during the war and served a tour.
The uniform depicts the standard fatigue shirt, of the late 1950s and early 1960s period.
National Guard Khakis, the 1960s:
The 169th Infantry Regiment is what this uniform represents, that is as a part of the Army, Connecticut National Guard. But their ancestry traces all the way back to one of the militia units in the Connecticut colony, in 1672, Officially the organization as the 1st Connecticut was 11 October 1739.
But the 169th regiment would be involved in the French and Indian War, and in the American Revolutionary War, at the Battle of Long Island and the Battle of Saratoga, then the War of 1812, And then the American Civil War in the First Battle of Bull Run, they were in the Spanish-American War, participating in the Poncho Villa Expedition It was quiet for them till World War II came along, where they fought in the New Georgia Campaign, the New Guinea Campaign and in the Battle of Luzon.
With the end of WWII, the 169th became part of the US forces in the Occupation of Japan. they were stationed at Kumagaya Airdrome and stayed there from 14 September to 12 October. They then left for home though, taking ships to San Francisco, they finished arriving on 29 October 1945 the three battalions of the 169th all received Distinguished Unit Citation and the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation. But then on 1 November 1945, the regiment was deactivated.
But it then was reactivated on 23 October 1946 to serve the Connecticut National Guard in Hartford, CT. Four years later came the outbreak of the Korean War, and the 169th began more intensive training in case they were needed again.
Training at Camp Pickett and Camp A. P. Hill, in Virginia 50-51, but instead of going to Korea, they were sent to Germany to support the forces standing the line there against the very possible Soviet attack. The regiment would be garrisoned first around Munich, then move in Nuremberg.
The latter would return to the US. coming back to Connecticut in 1954. They would serve the state of Connecticut until 1992 when they were deactivated. The Guard would be there if there were any local natural-catastrophes or need to support local Police, to keep the peace and support the local government. In the National Guard, you serve your State, and your nation if calls you for duty, roughly it took militias to a little more serious position and attached to the Military at the same time.
The uniform blouse and cap here was an as-is buy, it depicts the typical Army's warm wear enlisted dress of the 1960s, while not regular army, the uniform was the same, it has some interesting details though, like the specialist's leader loops, they have a rarely seen sewn in DUI's unlike the metal on his overseas cap, I am likely he was in the guard for his entire contract, and this would be a typical rank for a 4-year hitch.
Washington D.C. National Guard Cold War Set:
The District of Columbia National Guard played a crucial role in one of the largest gatherings for civil rights in U.S. history. On August 28, 1963, approximately 250,000 people were present at the march on Washington! At the nation's capital. Washington D.C. guardsmen were positioned at national monuments around the city to help maintain the crowds during the March on Washington. This is when Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his speech “I Have a Dream”, They managed to dodge the Vietnam War, as it was thought it would be most unpopular, and affect volunteers all the more. But of late the D.C. National Guard has deployed more than 1,200 soldiers and airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
3rd Infantry Division 1979:
Some 61 members of the 3rd Infantry Division have earned the Medal of Honor, so it’s the most honored division in the Army. During the Cold War years, they were deployed to Germany, as a blocking force if the USSR was going to make a move there, and possibly Attack Europe, an alliance was formed, and the division was stationed with the V-Corps from 1958–63, then again from 1992-1996, and also in VII Corps from 1963 to 1992 in West Germany. They operated from near the Czech border, and Westward traveling through various towns like Würzburg where there was the (Div. Hq. & Support Command), Schweinfurt (1st Brigade stationed), Kitzingen (the 2nd Brigade), and Aschaffenburg (3rd Brigade). Through the winters and Summers, the fatigue uniforms were the norm, sometimes with liners inside and ponchos over them, fatigue blouses, and long underwear under that. Some used other countries’ boots even like the German Galoshes, what was available
Master Sergeant, Transportation Center, and Training School:
Sergeant, 85th Infantry Division “The Custer Division” Early 1960s, Cold War:
The 85th Infantry Division, the "Custer Division" (obviously named after the cavalry commander George Armstrong Custer) was first activated on 25 August 1917 at 'Camp Custer', in Michigan, the Division was comprised by combining the 169th and 170th Infantry brigades with the 160th Field Artillery Brigade. They trained together for a year before getting sent to England.
But they would not stay in England, largely forgotten in history, the 339th Infantry Regiment was sent to Archangel, Russia to fight alongside the White Army in the Russian Civil War against the Bolshevik forces as part of the Polar Bear Expedition. The 339th was the 1st Battalion with the 310th Engineers and the 337th Ambulance Company, with the 337th Field Hospital. Then they were deployed to France, part of the American Expeditionary Forces, but the division was broken up to support other units.
The Doughboys, as the English called them were mixed in amongst the other Divisions filling the gaps at the Battles for St. Mihiel, Marbach, and in the Meuse-Argonne on the Western Front. Following the war in 1918, the Custer Division remained on occupation duty in Germany, but by August of 1919, they would be home again.
They were next called on again, 15 May 1942, just five months since the United States entered World War II. The 85th Infantry Division was activated at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, and Major General Wade H. Haislip took command of the division. It was to be in the new - “Triangulated Division" with three regiments rather than the prior four-regiment structure "square division" of World War I.
In April 1943, it participated in large-scale army training in the Louisiana Maneuvers near Leesville, Louisiana,
On August 43, the division was moved to Camp Coxcomb, California for desert warfare training. In October, the division was transferred to Fort Dix, New Jersey, for final preparations before shipment overseas. Major General John B. Coulter was transferred but retained this position throughout the war.
Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia,
Italian Campaign.1944-1945 involved the Po Valley fighting, Sicily in Naples-Foggi, Anzio then Rome-Arno, They were in Southern France, fighting in North Apennines, they were in the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and into Central Europe in 1945.
Three soldiers from the 85th Infantry Division earned the Medal of Honor.
The division returned to the United States and was disbanded at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia on 26 August 1945. It was when reconstituted and reactivated in Chicago, Illinois on 19 February 1947 in the U.S. Army Reserve. On 1 June 1959, the division's mission was changed to training and named the 85th Infantry Division (Training).
The uniform depicts a soldier, possibly a student, at one of the Custer-Division Training Facilities (they were sped across 7-8 different Forts by brigades and divisional HQ, and It would depend on what regiment he is attached with to what DUI he may have, I think without direct attachment, there would be none as seen here, I can find little information on the unit at the time it was a training unit.
Infantry Training Command. “Follow Me”, Class A Uniform, Early 1970s Continental US:
Fort Benning is known as the "Home of the Infantry". Is where the United States Army Infantry School was established, through the years gradually it emerged as the most influential infantry center in the modern world. Fort Benning and the Infantry School are so intertwined that it is virtually impossible to trace the history of Fort Benning without recording the evolution of the school. The U.S. Army Infantry School produces some of the world's finest Infantry combat leaders, it is preparing officers and enlisted soldiers, to perform various Infantry duties that are required in both peacetime and battle in the war, the emphasis is on the art of command and leadership.
The development of tactics, techniques, and procedures at brigade-level training is the mission of the Infantry School. It also participates in the development, review, and testing of doctrine and material for Infantry units. ongoing, Keeping training, in check with present overseas deployments and situations. The Infantry School teaches no less than 30 different courses, categorized as Initial Entry Training, Professional Development, and Functional. The courses provide the initial skills, development, and of course specialty training for all Infantry soldiers and leaders.
Professional development courses include the 20-week Infantry Officer Advanced Course, the 16-week Infantry Officer Basic Course, and the 14-week Branch Immaterial Officer Candidate Course. The Class A uniform, typical for the period was worn with a Khaki Shirt, at some point, the shirt became more of a green.
United States Army Infantry School shoulder sleeve insignia and staff sergeant rank on the left sleeve. Upon joining the Infantry, officers spend several months at the Infantry Officer Basic Course and then other follow-on courses at Fort Benning, Georgia. At a minimum, all infantry lieutenants attend Infantry Officer Basic Course (16 weeks); Basic Airborne Course (3 weeks, if not already airborne-qualified); and Ranger Course (9 weeks). Additionally, depending on intended assignments, the officer may also attend the Infantry Mortar Leader Course (IMLC), 50% of those going to OCONUS assignments attend IMLC or the Bradley Leader Course (BLC).
Fort Benning secured its final vestige of permanence during the 1950s. Infantry demonstrations became a common occurrence as the newest developments were unveiled to civilian and military leaders. The instruction at the Infantry School became increasingly more combined-arms oriented. In 1963, the 11th Air Assault Division was formed at Fort Benning, testing the air assault concept leading to the "Air-mobile " Helicopter envelopment theory, and the First Cavalry Division changing from Mobile Infantry to Sky Soldiers. There is a three-week Pathfinder Course, with instruction on air traffic control, selection of landing and drop zones, and a six-week Infantry Mortar Leader Course, providing instruction to officers and non-commissioned officers on how to operate an Infantry Mortar Platoon.
Now, there is Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Course, with a seven-week Leader Course, preparing officers and NCOs to effectively operate a fighting vehicle, it has a 12-week Master Gunners Course, which produces thoroughly trained NCOs to assist commanders in planning and implementing Bradley Fighting Vehicle training. The Ranger Course is nine demanding weeks of training designed to hone the Infantry leader's confidence, professional skills, and leadership techniques in a rigorous, combat-like environment. The Infantry Leader Course is a five-week course that provides the chain of command for light Infantry battalions with skills in field craft, leadership, marksmanship, and tactics. The picture is the forward right side of this cap. This is the cap that came with the uniform.
The course is conducted primarily by the 2nd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, to which all lieutenants attending IOBC are assigned. The battalion, organized into 3 training companies, was commanded by an infantry major. Ranger School is extremely rigorous, it is a super demanding course and pushes students to the extreme.
There is a stain on the inside of this jacket, I think one very hot day, an ink pen blew up in his shirt pocket-it's a reddish-purple color. As the post proved its significance locally, it also began to make its mark nationally in the quality of the leaders it produced. The Infantry School has either trained in its officer courses or homed in its command structure. Some of the nation's most prominent military figures, like five-star generals Omar Bradley, Dwight Eisenhower, and George Marshall as were George Patton and Colin Powell, all learned their craft at Fort Benning. For more information look at US Army Infantry Center & US Army. Some of the nation's most prominent military figures, like five-star generals Omar Bradley, Dwight Eisenhower, and George Marshall as were George Patton and Colin Powell, all learned their craft at Fort Benning.
An infantry lieutenant can expect to hold the following jobs: Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, possibly a specialty platoon leader (Support Platoon, Scouts/Recon, Mortars, Anti-Tank), or serve on battalion staff (S1, Assistant S3). The average time as a platoon leader is about a year. On his right shoulder is the patch of the 25th Division. Infantry Officer Basic Course Information (IOBC) is a field-oriented 16-week course of instruction. Graduation from the course requires that each lieutenant be certified in infantry weapons, maintenance of vehicles and equipment, communications, NBC defense, artillery call for fire, land navigation, training management, tactics, leadership, and physical fitness. Over 70% of the course involves field training.
While developing their leadership skills and technical and tactical expertise. The course is run by the Ranger Training Brigade, headquartered at Fort Benning. The jacket opened here. It has a nice lining part in a silk-like material. The Infantry School also teaches Phase II of the Pre-Command Course for battalion and brigade command designees.
In "Infantry initial entry training" soldiers attend the 13-week "Infantry One Station Unit Training Course" which produces the finest Infantry soldier in any Army. Here we see the back of the jacket. There are professional development courses. These include an eight-week Officer Basic Course, a two-phase Officer Advanced Course providing IOAC qualification in a two-week/Active for Duty Training Module, and a correspondence course module, there is a special two-week Reserve Component Long Range Surveillance Leader Course. The functional courses comprise the second major area of training at the Infantry School. They’re designed to train military personnel in specialized, Infantry-related skills. The courses include the three-week Airborne Course, which instructs basic military parachuting, and a two-week Jumpmaster Course, providing training in the supervision of paratroopers during an airborne operation.
There is the training of military personnel from other countries too. The American Service School is an important aspect of the Security Assistance Program of the U.S. Government. The Infantry School plays a major role in this effort, training between 750 and 800 students annually. Officers, non-commissioned officers, and civilian employees from more than 109 nations attend the full range of 15 leadership and special skill courses taught at Fort Benning. International military students attend regularly scheduled courses, together with U.S. students.
This would be an optional cap that could be worn with the uniform. While the helmet for the uniform did show up, it never got the reshoot it disserves, but we can visualize. It’s an excellent example, and in new-like shape now, being refurbished. we can see what was used in the parade use mode, this is the helmet shell, but not intended for use beyond the parade field.
I'm not positive if it was used by officers, platoon leaders, or the Honor Guard. At any rate, it was not for everyday use and was assigned to some for parade or leadership roles.
The marking is in the decal form, this started being seen around the time of the late '50s into the '60s, and by the '70s in common use, and it looked sharper and sharper too, while the painting was permanent, the had to be touched up when scratched, rather to simply adding a decal over it.
The helmet shows signs of several re-builds and re-issues and was used right up to the time they were replaced by the Kevlar's. The Y-strap 'Airborne' style won out in the end, and many regular-Infantrymen were issued these single chin straps and Airborne's cup-like chinstrap hooked up to the Y on the liner end where the last used and continues to be used with the National Guard and Reserves.
The inner part of the steel pot never received the gloss black paint, and retains the bright green paint still, the liners, repainted in darker green several times. And while being rebuilt and refurbished several times, never received the green or orange 'Refurbished marking paint seen in the late '60s and into the '70s. It was varnished. The only thing missing is the pin-on name tag, black with the lettering of his last name, which was the common practice.
32nd Army Missile Defense Command:
After WWII, the anti-aircraft Artillery (Guns) was pretty dialed in, and by the end of the Korean War, with the use of radar and electrically controlled multi-gun, from the quad 50'd to 75mm and 90mm auto-cannons, their days were limited and considered close-in weapons in the day of the jet age fighters and bombers, and rocketry-we needed standoff weapons-get them before they get close.
The areas of responsibility had outgrown their weapons. Their responsibility was magnified. They developed into different regions to cover and so development went on to central control command, for quick response, 24 hours a day, these people are now on watch. They’re also tied into another branch of services too, as Air Force and Navy joint command decision-makers.
Apparently, the North America Group is in seven sections or (Regions). And that's just for the Army, then there is the Naval and US. Air Force's NORAD-CONAD in Colorado. Going on 60's information. I think he was working with some decent missiles, like the Pershing, or Nike, Lance, or Patriot maybe...The 'DUI' on the blouse is that from 32nd AAMDC or 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, it may have been in 'conjunction with' or a subordinate position at the time. It is a 'theater level' US. Army, 'Air and Missile Defense' (MAD) multi-component organization on call, in worldwide coverage, 72-hour deployment mission.
1963 found ARADCOM peaking in strength, they had some 184 firing units (134 being regular Army, and 50 National Guard). However, they had started to downsize, as a new system developed in September 1968. With Technology, the cost runs, and downsizing newer nuclear deterrent weapons and anti-missile missile defense continuing to go through changes, we know how fast technology can move.
So, the uniform may be miss-marked, I hope not, LMK if so and how to fix it. But the thing is this is one of those groups of young people that keep us safe every day that never get seen or on the news, and when everything is quiet and good is what they hope for, but they’re manning the line every day, and that was why I adopted the uniform to the collection.
On February 4, 1974, the U.S. Department of Defense announced the ARADCOM inactivation, except for the 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, which had been activated during the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 1962) and would continue duty on the coast of southern Florida.
December 31, 1974, ARADCOM's remaining regional headquarters, all eight groups, plus 13 battalion headquarters, as well as 48 Hercules firing batteries, were deactivated and dismantled. As of January 4, 1975, ARADCOM headquarters no longer is in operation.
This style 'Summer Shirt' was popular and seen from Europe and the USA to Vietnam, where most of this style shirt is seen in this collection, it was used stateside, and in Europe as an office-style work uniform without the jacket much of the time.
While many did near their whole tour in fatigues, others used this, some claim they never used the uniform except for going to from their overseas tours. I don't think that’s the case here as it is being used as a base uniform I should think.
In Europe, there is today the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, stationed in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and there is the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (32 AAMDC.SVG) in the US. the United States Army Forces Command located at Fort Bliss, in Texas, and the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 94th. An AMDC.png, and then the
United States Army Pacific is located at Fort Shafter, in Hawaii, and then there is the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (263 ADA. BG. SSI.SVG) with the South Carolina Army National Guard. The uniform, if we can call it that, a story told, would be an atypical 60 summer short-sleeve shirt, with the green over-seas cap, in the '50s this would have been khaki. He would have had khaki trousers as well, black shoes I should think, maybe black boots, bloused. this could be used as walking out, travel, and office-type work.
MLRS and Modern Artillery. Now rocketry has evolved, and the delivery methods, i/e long-range missiles, or Cruise Missiles, I don't know what but can carry up to 12, they can inflict a lot of damage, but then you have to remove the holing box, and add the new....take a little time-so shoot scoot, and reload I guess.
I know the uniform would not pass inspection, there is a bit of guess and by-golly with my uniforms in the collection, and there is likely a mistake, regulations have changed 47 times and it was never there, so I don’t claim it is exact or absolute as it was, it’s an old uniform I’m using to represent this unit, maybe tell a bit of its story, none of my uniforms I suspect would pass an inspection-I just wanted to share a unit story, tell a bit about the times, I like to get them close as I can mind you, but there is a lot to cover, there are books on this subject.
“NEW” Lieutenant, Army Air Defence Artillery, 1960s.
After Vietnam, the 8th Infantry Division was back in Europe:
8th Infantry Division had been named the "Pathfinder", and they had done marvelous things in WWII and stood the line in Europe. They would find a home there in the post-war environment, and political saber-rattling of the time. sent to West Germany, initially in 1956-57, sent on a temporary basis for Operation Gyroscope, but they remained in West Germany for decades. The Division's First Brigade (and its subordinate units) was stationed in Mainz, the Second Brigade (and subordinate units) went to Baumholder, and the Third Brigade, along with all its subordinate units went to Mannheim. In 1974, thanks to an amendment by Senator Sam Nunn of Georgia led to two more brigades being organized for European service.
The Cold War was an interesting time, The camouflaged uniform became popular in the Vietnam War, with the woodland pattern winning out, and becoming an issued item through the end of the Cold War.
Now I have conflicting info on this story, the uniform was developed during the Vietnam War, and in fact, my uncle, George Clein gave me a picture (I have now lost) of him in one in Vietnam, and he had served with the 8th in Germany, but the 8th was not in Vietnam, but then I see, it was tested in Europe (Germany) as well as the States so could have been worn in several places.
These were seen sometimes, just before the BDU uniforms became issued, and is a very similar pattern, in the 4 tons of colors, the light green became a light tan color on the BDU. The uniforms were sometimes held-on too. And sometimes allowed to be worn by those with the CIB, NCOs, teachers, Drill Instructors, and the like.
The 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division ("Brigade-76") was dispatched to Europe in the fall of 1976. It was stationed in Wiesbaden, attached to the 8th Infantry Division, and for eight years, made it unique - the 8th ID became the Army's only four-brigade division. Then in 1984, the 4th Brigade was inactivated, and the division's size fell to the standard three brigades.
In the early 1960s, the 8th Infantry Division was organized as a partially Airborne Pentomic division, with two of its five battle groups, the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 504th Infantry, and 1st Airborne Battle Group, 505th Infantry, that were on jump status. In 1963 the division was reorganized into a brigade and restructured again with many small changes to operations and the unit names.
In 1973 the 1st Brigade's assets were transferred to Vicenza, Italy, to establish a separate Airborne Task Force there.
With the four battalions, they also deployed to Operation Desert Storm.
The M113"ACAV" APC: The early M113 APCs came to be from the military modernization pushes and getting rid of the half-tracks and getting fully tracked, fast and amphibious vehicles, but they Miss-giving In Vietnam, and soon they realized that the armor was not so effective for the troops inside and if they hit a mine-everyone died inside. It really needed more close support armament too, for close in the fire in the jungle, and fuel to follow them keeping them going.
M113 Armored Personnel Carriers after Vietnam, had their A-CAV Kits generally they came off again. Why I don't know-and new paint jobs came. The M113 tracks followed suit with the different color pattern camouflage as well.
Now the vehicle is getting long in the tooth, but there was no replacement. So they went on station into the Cold War. When they went to war again, the turrets received the A-Cav kit again.
25th ID. into the 1980s:
When they returned to Schofield Barracks, the 25th Infantry Division had remained the only US Army Division to have never been stationed in the continental United States, as they had arrived when the overall military was downsizing, as it commonly does before needed again. They were reduced to a single brigade, some 4,000 men.
The 25th was reactivated as a division again in March of 1972. They were recreated using many new elements from different places like the 29th infantry brigade the Hawaiian-Army National Guard with elements from the 2nd Battalion, 299th Infantry, Hawaiian National Guard, the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry, and parts from the US Army Reserves. And the 1st Battalion, of the 194th Infantry from the California National Guard. They soon began training and began to merge all the pieces together into a single operating team. They would train for eight years throughout the Pacific Theater, and they participated in training missions with Fijian Forces, and exercises with more than 5,000 divisional troops, and 1,700 pieces of equipment were airlifted to South Korea for this annual event.
In 1985, the 25th started to be redeveloped into a Light Infantry Division.
The new plan called for four primary characteristics, A Light Infantry Division would be one of flexibility, for rapid deployment use, with their combat readiness at 100 percent all the time, ready to deploy in strength anywhere in the Pacific Basin Orientation. They gained a third infantry brigade, with an additional direct-support artillery battalion, expanding the combat aviation battalion to a brigade-sized lift unit. it is interesting -by adding to their size they became light. receiving the new designation on 1 October 1986. The Division’s training became more sophisticated, with a lot of new equipment like Armored Cars, crew-served weapons, and their individual weapons their tactics changed it was more intense.
In 1988, the division's first battalions participated in rotations at the Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center, Arkansas.
This training center provides the most realistic training available to light forces in the Army. They would also train in operations in joint/combined training exercises Cobra Gold in Thailand, Kangaroo with the Australian Army, and Orient Shield in Japan. Until 1993 Operation Team Spirit in Korea remained the division's largest annual maneuver exercise, involving more than half of the division's strength.
Note on the bottom picture- (the soldier is actually from the 24th Infantry Division, but note what is on the helmet, ‘Miles Gear’ is what that was called- at the time state of the art, a sort of Lazer-tag / training devices, worn on the web gear, and on tanks and equipment a well, that would ring in different tones when one was hit or knocked out and had to be turned off by the observer “Referee” of the training exercise.
