Our United State Army Airforce History

cirelaw · 05-16-2014, 02:09 PM

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

John Sabato · 05-16-2014, 03:16 PM

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...

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

cirelaw · 05-16-2014, 03:22 PM

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

John Sabato · 05-16-2014, 03:59 PM

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!

cirelaw · 05-16-2014, 04:03 PM

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

cirelaw · 05-18-2014, 10:52 AM

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

roadkill1 · 05-18-2014, 06:00 PM

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

cirelaw · 05-18-2014, 06:27 PM

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

alanint · 05-18-2014, 09:21 PM

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.

cirelaw · 05-18-2014, 09:51 PM

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

roadkill1 · 05-18-2014, 10:53 PM

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

alanint · 05-19-2014, 07:51 AM

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.

cirelaw · 05-19-2014, 08:00 AM

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

John Sabato · 05-19-2014, 10:26 AM

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.

cirelaw · 05-19-2014, 10:55 AM

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

cirelaw · 05-19-2014, 11:21 AM

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

roadkill1 · 05-19-2014, 07:56 PM

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

cirelaw · 05-19-2014, 08:27 PM

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

cirelaw · 05-20-2014, 08:34 AM

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

GySgt1811 · 05-20-2014, 11:52 AM

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

05-16-2014, 02:09 PM	#1
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	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

05-16-2014, 03:16 PM	#2
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	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... (All in jest of course... but actually true!). __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-16-2014, 03:22 PM	#3
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Some one had to protect the runways!! Sorry! Is this simular to your uniform? Attached Thumbnails

05-16-2014, 03:59 PM	#4
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	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! __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-16-2014, 04:03 PM	#5
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Just like lugers, each is unique has its' own personality much like it various owners!! Do you still have yours? Uniform that is!! Last edited by cirelaw; 05-16-2014 at 05:34 PM.

05-18-2014, 10:52 AM	#6
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	John can you help me with one. Was he a paratrooper? Its looks interesting~ Attached Thumbnails Last edited by cirelaw; 05-18-2014 at 12:11 PM.

05-18-2014, 06:00 PM	#7
roadkill1 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 127 Thanks: 166 Thanked 129 Times in 63 Posts	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

05-18-2014, 06:27 PM	#8
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Thanks Ron, a black patch?? What are the crossed rifles?? Also do you know the approximate age of this item? Tks Attached Thumbnails Last edited by cirelaw; 05-18-2014 at 07:24 PM.

05-18-2014, 09:21 PM	#9
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	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.

05-18-2014, 09:51 PM	#10
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	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

05-18-2014, 10:53 PM	#11
roadkill1 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 127 Thanks: 166 Thanked 129 Times in 63 Posts	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

05-19-2014, 07:51 AM	#12
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,916 Times in 1,192 Posts	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.

05-19-2014, 08:00 AM	#13
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Doug you never cease to amaze me!! You knowlege about everything is awesome!

05-19-2014, 10:26 AM	#14
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,152 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	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. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

05-19-2014, 10:55 AM	#15
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Repost~ It is simply amazing just how much you can derive from one uniform, Thank You Attached Thumbnails

05-19-2014, 11:21 AM	#16
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	This is my last Army I promise! Whats does the '1' signify? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by cirelaw; 05-19-2014 at 12:34 PM.

05-19-2014, 07:56 PM	#17
roadkill1 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Virginia Posts: 127 Thanks: 166 Thanked 129 Times in 63 Posts	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

05-19-2014, 08:27 PM	#18
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	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

05-20-2014, 08:34 AM	#19
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	My final four ~ I know one is a navy~ Any help please! ~ Eric Attached Thumbnails Last edited by cirelaw; 05-20-2014 at 11:02 AM.

05-20-2014, 11:52 AM	#20
GySgt1811 Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 237 Thanks: 1,238 Thanked 126 Times in 84 Posts	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