Name/Title
JacketEntry/Object ID
2014.006.0075ADescription
WWII US Army Field Jacket worn by a Techical Staff Sergeant in the Ordnance Department. The red and gold patch on the upper left sleeve indicates service in the Panama Canal Zone in WWII. The rating badge on both sleeves indicates the person is a Technical Sergeant. The three bars on the lower left sleeve represent nine years of service as the Army issues a bar or "hash mark" for each three years of service. The gold wreath on green patch on the lower right sleeve is an Army Meritorious Unit Citation.
On the upper right breast is the Honorable Discharge Emblem Lozenge sometimes referred to as the "ruptured duck" signifies that the soldier served honorably. It was worn by all servicemen, of all branches, when they were being discharged. They could wear their uniforms with the patch for up to thirty days after dischrge. It was authorized from September 1939 through December 1946. During World War II members of the armed forces were forbidden to possess civilian clothing unless so ordered. It made desertion harder and by rules they were to be treated as prisoners of war if captured and not spies.
On the right lapel is a round, gold U.S. button with a screw-on back and on the left lapel is a round, gold ordnance symbol of a lighted bomb with a screw-on back.
It is an "Eisenhower" style jacket, band at waist, flap pocket on each breast with button covered by the flap, five khaki/green buttons down front with an extra "snap" closure at the waist, one button on each sleeve cuff, pocket on inside of each side, and is fully lined. Size tag at back neck: 36R.
A label in right inside pocket reads: "Jackets, Field, Wool. O. D. / Stock No 55-1-384-595 / 36R / Jacob M. / Franklin Inc. / P.O. No. 20233 dated Apr. 16, 1945 / Pattern dated 5/10/44 / Spec. P. Q. D. No 431 / Phila Q. M. Depot" marked by Inspector 70.Collection
Clothing Collection