Our United State Army Airforce History
 

Since evolved into our U.S. Airforce. It had and amazing history and shaped the evolution into our United States Airforce contributing especially during World Was II ~~ Its really a great article~http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_...n_World_War_II

I served with several branches while in the Army. --- Signal Corps, Intelligence, and Inspector General Corps.

When I was young sergeant, and found myself sharing alcoholic beverages with the "boys in blue" at a local NCO club... it was always comical when I would yank their chains by making the statement that the U.S. Air Force was actually that part of the U.S. Army Signal Corps that we decided we didn't want, and we got rid of it in 1947... :eek:

(All in jest of course... but actually true!). :cheers:

Some one had to protect the runways!! Sorry! Is this simular to your uniform?

Yes Eric, that vintage green! ...but different patches on the arm sleeve, a couple more rank stripes, 6 service hash marks, and a few extra ribbons... Oh, and the name plate is not mine! :D

Just like lugers, each is unique has its' own personality much like it various owners!! Do you still have yours? Uniform that is!!

John can you help me with one. Was he a paratrooper? Its looks interesting~

Yes Eric, he was a paratrooper. In fact, top badge is a Army Master Parachutist and badge immediately below it is a Pathfinder badge. Can't make out patch on left sleeve. No patch on right sleeve so he had not yet had a combat tour.

Ron

Thanks Ron, a black patch?? What are the crossed rifles?? Also do you know the approximate age of this item? Tks

The shoulder patch looks like the blacked out field version of the 28th. Infantry Division's Keystone emblem. This and the crossed rifles would lead me to believe that the uniform is Infantry, but the owner had either a previous tour as a Paratropper or he was in a Pathfinder unit attached to the 28th.

Its amazings later so much of a servicemans' life and experience can be gleemed. The crossed rifles reminded me of the Mosin Nagant Russian symbol or those on Russian marked lugers! Thanks to you both! Eric

Eric:

These look like BDUs (Battle Dress Uniforms in a woodland pattern). The initial BDUs were mid to late 1960's I think. These were from rather "heavy cotton". Late 1960's, the army issued these in a rip-stop type of cotton that were light weight. Your blouse is the rip-stop cotton type. Soldiers in or Going to Vietnam received the rip-stop first and issue to the rest of the Army was phased in a little later.

Ron

The uniform also saw previous use/issue. You can clearly see the classic GI "overstitched" cloth repairs around the keystone patch and the clear remnants of the stitching, (and less fading) from a round shoulder patch that was once placed where the keystone patch is now. The soldier was either transferred into the 28th. from a previous assignment and brought his old blouse with him or this uniform was reissued to somebody new.

The label will contain a code, which will tell you year of manufacture, this will give you a pretty good idea of when it was first issued.

Doug you never cease to amaze me!! You knowlege about everything is awesome!

The rank is Specialist 5th Class, which is grade equivilent to a (3 chevrons) Sergeant.

The ribbon is the Defense Service ribbon that is issued to virtually all who have served. The badge on the pocket is an expert marksmanship badge and the two bars under the badge should indicate the weapons the soldier qualified with.

The American Eagle with the five sided edge is the unit patch for soldiers assigned to the Pentagon.

The left shoulder is where the current unit patch is displayed. The right shoulder would display one of the unit patches where the soldier served in a combat zone. Since this uniform has no patch on the right shoulder, the original owner did not serve in combat (at least at the time this uniform was worn)

Since there are no hash marks on the left sleeve, the soldier who owned this Class A uniform blouse (not jacket) served less than 3 years at the time this uniform was worn.



The Enlisted Branch of Service device on the left collar, in this case is "unassigned to any branch" that is often worn by soldiers assigned to duties in the Pentagon.

http://mwrcomplex.com/images/product...l/NSE234_W.jpg

Repost~ It is simply amazing just how much you can derive from one uniform, Thank You

This is my last Army I promise! Whats does the '1' signify?

Eric:

The "1" signifies the First Infantry Division, the "Big Red One." Because this Sergeant First Class or Platoon Sergeant, is wearing his First Infantry Division Patch on his right arm, he was assigned to this division in combat (combat zone). This division is currently assigned to Fort Riley, Kansas. This division has a great history in WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, and, as it is referred to, the War on Terror (Iraq and Afghanistan. Because it was serving occupation duty in Germany, this division was not deployed to Korea.

Ron

Ron thats fantastic "First Infantry" and Ft Riley was where some tests were made on the 1900 U.S. Test lugers. I'm definitely will put it in the front of my collection. I never realized just how personal these uniforms and flight suit were. Its a real honor to have them> Thanks again!! ~~Eric

My final four ~ I know one is a navy~ Any help please! ~ Eric

Eric,

I can do three of the four. The first is a U.S.Marine Corporal, service dress alpha shirt and tie.

The second is U.S.Navy 1st Class Stewards Mate, undress blues. Back in the day these Stewards Mates were African-Americans and Philippinos who waited on Officers only. They waited tables, washed and pressed uniforms, shined shoes; generally "Batman" duties. Whites were traditionally excluded from this Rating. IIRC, after serving 4 years in the USN, Phillipinos could gain US citizenship. All, chime in here for correction.

The third, I think, may be USMC, may be USA, but way before my time...WWI or between the wars. Someone else will know, I'm sure.

Number 4 is USMC Corporal; Service dress Green Blouse, with one 4 year service mark.

I hope I haven't screwed up too bad. Whilel writing this I have to go from memory. My computer and my lack of computer abilities won't let me go look at what I'm writing about. Memory only.

Best Regards,

Gunny John

Gunny you are my hero! I tracked the WW1 through the maker who made uniforms only during the 'First World War' for the army http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuppenheimer Your historical perspecive is fabulous providing them a face to a cloth! I bought these after getting out of law school and they sat in many closets till last week when I ran the name on a pretty flight suit 'D.C. Jones. I found a very famous General and Head of the Joint Chiefs under 3 presidents. From now on I checking everything including pockets! ~~Eric

Eric,

I'm going out on a limb here. That "Kuppenheimer" tag is not government contract. While Kuppenheimer made contract clothing in WW1, I believe the uniform blouse you have is a privately purchased item from this high quality civilian supplier. Generally, well to do Officers would order these to look snazzier than the high production government contract stuff. Notice the lay of the collar and its tab and the fit of the epaulets and the pocket flaps. I don't recognize the devices on the sleeve...some really old Doggie will have to chime in here.

(When I was at the NCO Academy at Quantico I went over into the 'ville and ordered a complete "Iron Suit" from one of the famous private tailors there who cater to the Marines. The fit was superb, and the price matched the fit!!!)

Waiting for John Sabato or Alinint to chime in here. I bow to their superior knowledge in almost all things, except cheap wine and 10 cent seegars. (JEEZ! This freakin' keyboard does NOT have a "cent" symbol!) :eek:

Guns

John I think your right. I'm posting the other. It is longer has no manufature label and different buttons. I just noticed an anchor buttons different from the ones above! Maybe marines?

I it very similar to my old one, E4, MOS: 19K

:cheers:

What are the 'E4, MOS:19K' ? Eric~

E4 = Enlisted Grade 4, same as a Corporal, or Specialist 4th Class (SP4) in the Army

MOS = Military Occupational Specialty

19K = Armor Crewman

Thank John! You know your stuff! Just what is a Military Occupational Specialist? It seems the Army had a lot of titles!! Good ole goverment jobs! Were you paid more? My Mom worked for the Navy 'N.A.V.I.L.C.O.up until her death in my first year of law school IN 1979 and was a GS 11 I think. Were they they paid on a simular scale?

Hi Eric,

It is "Military Occupational SPECIALTY". Basically, it is what you do, (your job) within the military.

The federal government uses the civilian General Schedule (GS) pay scale.

http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-overs...eral-schedule/


The military uses completely different pay scales. One for enlisted pay grades, and one for the officers.

http://www.dfas.mil/dam/dfas/militar...yTable2014.pdf

As Doug states above, MOS is just a fancy name for "job title"...

Thank You Both! Every profession has its' own language! In law it was generally Latin! An example "RES IPSA LOQUITER" 'The facts speak for themselves'! Which was unusual! Our laws were based on English common law. Its present although often we never notice! Speaking of job titles for example the title 'Sheriff' was derived from old England. The word sheriff cam from 2 words. The first 'shire' means county and 'reeve' the Kings representative to collect taxes and solve petty disputes. He wasoften hated as he was also the tax collector! The shire reeve or sheriff One exception was Louisana has its' basis in the French Napoleanic code and is similar although different in some respects. Their Bar exam is brutal and takes over 20 hours!http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_Louisiana Eric

Eric,

You're correct. That last blouse you've posted once belonged to a Jarhead.

Gunny John

PS. Bye the bye, Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Marines and Zoomies use different MOS designators. The Navy and Coast Guard "ratings" are actually nominal, in that for the most part, they tell you what the Sailor does, i.e., "Boatswain's Mate," "Electrician's Mate," "Yeoman", etc. They still have a numerical designator for administrative purposes as well as rank precedent; i.e. "0001" for a Boatswain, and "0025" for a Yeoman. All things being equal...rank (e-1, e-2, e-3, etc.) date of rank, etc... A Boatswain outranks a Yeoman. (Me. USN 1962 - 65)

The Army has its own and the other guys can fill you in.

The "Crotch" also has number precedent to denote which job is "more Important." A basic enlisted grunt is an "0311." I was a Tanker/Tank Commander..."1811"...although, as in the Army, you take on greater responsibility as you gain rank...e-1, e-2, e-3. When they kicked my arse out for being too old and infirm (50) I was a E-7 (pay grade) Gunnery Sergeant (Rank) my MOS was "1811" and my job was Platoon Sergeant. (Me. USMC 1979 - 92) Also, every Marine has a secondary MOS..."0311." A Marine is a Rifleman, first, last and always.

Only God Himself understands Air Force rank structure. Guns

Thanks Guns, I luv your description~~

I just found this patch with the uniforms. It looks medical?? The second is badly sown on a uniform~Please anyone? Eric

Eric,

The top one is a "1st Class Hospital Corpsman." ( IIRC, during WW2, as well as before, the Rating was called "Pharmacist Mate." This "Doc" (term of GREAT respect given to HM's by Marines!) was a 1st Class Petty Officer, an E-6.

The second one is a "1st Class Stewards Mate." I've really never been at ease with this Rating. This Rating are basically servants, and when I was an "Anchor Clanker" only non-whites could hold this rating. Maybe Naval Officers were, back then, to...ah, what shall I say... to get their own coffee, or load their own dinner plate, or shine their own shoes...

It may have changed by now. I don't know.

Opps. Sorry about the rant. Hope this helps ID the patches for you.

As Always, All the Best,

Gunny John

PS. I think the Army and the Navy still use the differentiating phrase "Officers and Men." Not the Corps; just "Marines." In the field junior Marines eat first. And the most senior gets his chow issue last...and, from the same trough. It's a sin to eat before your snuffies eat! Only in the rear does higher rank eat first. I remember the first morning our unit had come back Stateside from Desert Storm and I and Gunny R. walked to the chow hall at LeJeune for Breakfast. We walked to the end of the very long line. And all our guys insisted that we move up to the front of the line. They remembered that we had always made sure that they got their chow first in the desert, and they would not stand for us not to have it first now.

Gunny R. and I realized it would be insulting to these wonderful Marines not to accept the gift/right that they insisted we take. Gunny R. and I were a little misty-eyed at that first breakfast back from the sh8t-hole. And that Marine Corps chow was GREAT!

I'll bet the other NCO's all have similar stories they could tell.

John

I really cherish you both. You both have restored a life to these garments. Like lugers each one has a story although most have be lost in time~ Thank You both for your service and commitment to our country!!! Eric