WWII Uniform Help With ID Please

[jsmosby]

This uniform belongs to a friend. It was given to him as a gift from an estate liquidation that, unfortunetly, no one in the family had any interest in keeping. Uniforms are out of my area but you can't avoid them, nor should you, if you collect militaria. Here's what I think I know: Ike jacket with slacks, wool and WWII era. I'm especially interested in the many decorations and insignia on the upper left sleeve. It has a few moth nips and stains. Other than tha it is a nice group. Hate to ask, but, what is the value range?
Thanks for your time,
John

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[RT Ellis]

Uniform collector(s) will soon identify the awards and decorations, and the other cloth insignia on the uniform coat. The service member had a long career but he apparently wasn't the most sterling soldiers as the good conduct medal ribbon has no subsequent awards.

It's unfortunate the metal collar and other insignia are missing as it would tell a great deal about the soldier. It would be interesting to know what branch he was in. There is no indication he was in combat (although his ribbons do have campaign participation bronze stars) as there is no visible former unit shoulder sleeve insignia on the right shoulder. The ribbon and bronze star on the first ribbon in the top row indicates he was in the military prior to U.S. entry into WWII and that he was probably stationed in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

If you can provide a name it is possible to research basic military history.

[jsmosby]

Thanks for the information. It piqued my curiosity. I just sent an email to the owner asking him to provide the info you requested. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

[AZPhil]

Uniform collector(s) The ribbon and bronze star on the first ribbon in the top row indicates he was in the military prior to U.S. entry into WWII and that he was probably stationed in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

I disagree about the latter part of that statement.
It didn't matter where you were stationed. My uncle had the same american defense metal and was no where near Hawaii during his service.
You are correct about it being awarded to any service member who was already in the service prior to 1941

---------- Post added at 06:00 AM ---------- Previous post was at 05:55 AM ----------

Uniform collector(s) and that he was probably stationed in Hawaii on December 7, 1941.

The American Defense ribbion had nothing to do with being stationed in Hawaii,. You are correct that it was given to anyone who servred prior to 1941. My uncle had the same ribbon and he was no where near Hawaii.

[RT Ellis]

Reference the preceding post regarding the American Defense Service Medal and ribbon:

From Wikipedia:

"The medal is authorized to military members who performed active duty between September 8, 1939 and December 7, 1941. Members of the United States Army received this medal for any length of service during the eligibility period, provided that they were on orders to active duty for a period of twelve months or longer. The United States Navy excluded Reservists who were on active duty for less than ten days, but otherwise the Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States Coast Guard awarded the medal to all personnel who served on active duty at any time during the eligibility period (provided they passed their initial physical examinations).

Devices:
To denote foreign and pre-war battle service, the American Defense Service Medal was authorized with the following devices:
Foreign Service Clasp: Issued by the United States Army for military service outside the continental limits of the United States, including service in Alaska.
Base Clasp: Issued by the U.S. Navy and United States Marine Corps for service outside the continental limits of the United States (service in either Alaska or Hawaii qualified).
Fleet Clasp: Issued by the Navy, Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard for service on the high seas while regularly attached to any vessels of the Atlantic, Pacific, or Asiatic fleets as well as vessels of the Naval Transport Service and vessels operating directly under the Chief of Naval Operations.
Sea Clasp: Issued by the Coast Guard for all other vessels and aircraft, not qualifying for the Fleet Clasp, which regularly conducted patrols at sea.
"A" Device: Awarded to any member of the Navy who served duty in actual or potential belligerent contact with Axis Powers in the Atlantic Ocean between June 22 and December 7, 1941.
Service star: Worn in lieu of clasps when wearing the American Defense Service Medal as a ribbon on a military uniform."

If the relative mentioned in the preceding post was stationed exclusive of any of the service areas he was not authorized the bronze star device. Note that the main criteria was outside the continental US, which for Army troops would have most likely been Hawaii or the Philippines, but perhaps also Panama or as specifically authorized Alaska. (This is merely speculation based on the knowledge that the vast majority of Army troops stationed "overseas" were in those areas) The American Defense Service Medal and ribbon was authorized all service members active during the specified period regardless of station(s).

In the case of my father his ADSM had the "FLEET" clasp and he wore the bronze star device on the ribbon. His ship (U.S.Chicago CA-29) was at sea out of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and I had always assumed the star device was for participation in the battle. However I now realize that in my father's case it was merely to indicate that his basic medal had a clasp device.

On closer examination I noticed two small holes in the Good Conduct Medal ribbon of the coat in the original post that to me indicate there was a device attached that indicated subsequent awards.

[AZPhil]

WEll I do have to say that my uncle only had the ribbon with out star, For the Army to get the star ,it was for any foriegn service not specifically Hawaii. Now for the Navy ,USCG and Marine Corps it includes that. So the gent who wore this uniform could have been stationed anywhere out of the side of the CONUS and got it for that. It doesn't mean that he was stationed in Hawaii on December 7th 1941. That was the latter part I was refering to.
Semper Fi
Phil

---------- Post added at 05:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:02 PM ----------

The ribbon on the bottom left is the Korean service ribbon.
Semper Fi
Phil

[AZPhil]

Middle row from left to right.
WW2 victory ribbon,Army of Occupational in Germany,National Defense.
I'll try and figure out the rest later. I have to take my son to the Boy Scouts pine wood derby.
As Far as Value ,you can check ebay and see what they are selling for. I just paid 125 for an WW2 8th AAF TSgt. full set(Jacket,Pants and Shirt) with ribbons and flight crew wings .
Semper Fi
Phil

[browningautorifle]

Top ribbon, Army good conduct medal, Second row from top, American defence service medal with service star, American campaign medal with one campaign star, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign medal, Third row down, Victory medal WW2, Army of occupation medal, National defence service medal, Bottom row, Korean service with two campaigns, Armed forces reserve medal, UN service medal Korea, Bottom by it's self, Korean Presidential unit citation. Check Google for their reasons for being awarded and timeframes.

Left shoulder unit patch is European command formerly SHAEF...

[RT Ellis]

In review of the awards this soldierdisplayed I am of the opinion that is likely he was not in Hawaii, the Philippines or Alaska on December 7, 1941, because he would have been authorized the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal which award is not displayed. If stationed in any of those places he had reassigned out of the Pacific prior to Dec 7th.

BTW the "M-0071" property marking repeated several times in the coat and trousers represents the first initial of the soldier's last name and last four numbers of his serial number. Uniform collectors often refer to this as a "laundry mark" but was intended to identify issue uniforms and equipment to a specific soldier for accountability purposes. If you ever get a name on the soldier these markings should be confirmation that the uniform was issued to him.

[AZPhil]

Nice Job Jim!!!!!!!
Semper Fi
Phil