The John Bannister Collection - D-Day and Militaria
Lot 1002:
Description
M-44 “Ike Jacket”, 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) with rare Bazooka pocket patch. Standard M-44 jacket with tailor modified closure adapted to zipper (OPTI zipper Made in Germany). Inside at collar written twice is laundry markings “M-1628”. On the front of the jacket are the Qualification wings, 505th Oval (Sterling silver marked “Norsid Inc NY”), Combat Infantry Badge (Sterling w/Sterling clutch-back fasteners), US and Infantry collar discs (mixed era). Top ribbon bar (2 place) includes: Broze Star Medal w/ V-device and bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. Below are single ribbons for Army Commendation Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster; European African Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon with Invasion arrowhead and two bronze star devices; Occupation of Germany; and World War II Victory Medal. The patch on the left side chest pocket is an embroidered “Bazooka Team” patch. On page 160 of America’s finest by Howard, is an unofficial badge worn by troopers after the Sicilian campaign. These were originally made in a convent in Sicily in small quantity. The design was instigated by LTC James Gavin then commanding officer. They were given to the bazooka man of the 505th PIR and appreciation for stopping the advance of the Hermann Goring Panzer division. Three variations are known to exist to the author, all on a twill, but with color differences example the bazooka being O. D. Lightning strike yellow plus a flame and red coming from the back of the weapon. Upon closer inspection it is interesting to note that the the three red items are all hand dyed after the thread was stitched on. The original thread looks to have been a tan. Some of the colors of the red thread have bled onto the tan background likely from getting wet. Right side of chest has Presidential unit citation (earned for Operation Market Garden) below Ruptured Duck patch. Shoulder sleeves have SGT rank sewn on with 4 bars for overseas duty and 1 stripe for 3 years of service. 82nd Airborne AA patch with Airborne tab above are cross stitched on like the SGT stripes. No elements of the coat glow under UV light. Dimensions: 19in wide x 24.5 in tall. Found inside the pocket were a matched pair of N.S. Meyer 505th Infantry Regiment collar insignia w/clutch back fasteners on the original cardstock backers (damage to one). They have the phrase “H Minus” at the base of the insignia referencing the fact that they jumped into Normandy Region for Operation Market Garden before H-Hour, thus earning the “H-Minus” designation. These may be late or postwar insignia, and thus never affixed to this jacket. Overall a nice, unmolested jacket with a rare unit pocket patch. Please see photos.
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