WW2 Patch Guy

4/30/16: WW1 Grouping This week I was fortunate enough to win a auction of named WW1 items at an estate sale. I'll probably post these individually throughout the coming week. The grouping includes: - Officers uniform with U.S. And Engineering collar devices, officer cuff braids and a Advance Section, Services of Supply patch. - Knit Balaclava (very excited about that). - 4 Railway Maps of France dated 1918. - Pistol Belt - M-1904 Stone Arsenal Haversack with 19th Engineer Regiment marking. - Leather Officers Gaiters/Leggings - 2 pairs of Knit Socks - 1911 Drill Regulations Manual. - Stars and Stripes "Wally" Cartoon Book. #ww1 #military #militarypatch #militarypatches #patch #patches #patchcollection #worldwar1 #usmilitary #ww1collection (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

4/29/16: "Tommy Gun" This is a scan from an original negative I have in my collection. It's a photo of a WW2 vet local to me posing with a Tommy Gun. This soldier was with the US Army Air Force, 27th Air Depot Group stationed in New Guinea. If you'll notice, there's no magazine in the Tommy Gun, so he must not have been aiming with intentions to do harm at the time! #ww2 #wwII #military #militarypatch #militarypatches #patch #patches #patchcollection #worldwar2 #worldwarII #usmilitary #militaryphoto #tommygun (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

4/17/16: R.I.P. Rupy Sadly, WW2 U.S. Army Photographer, Peter "Rupy" Ruplenas passed away at age 97 yesterday. Rupy was a Veteran of WW2, Korea and Vietnam. I was fortunate enough to communicate with Rupy and obtain one of his original WW2 photos (bottom pic) which I have posted up on my page. Another National Treasure lost, but not forgotten. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #militaryuniform #armyphotographer (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

4/9/16: XII Corp These are patch variations of the U.S. Army XII (12th) Corp which served in the European Theater of WW2. At center is the very rare combination of: yellow windmill, olive drab border and green back. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #militaryuniform (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

4/3/16: WW2 U.S. Army Air Forces Insignia #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #usaaf #airforce #army (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

4/2/16: Liberty Stitching Part 2 of 2 This is a U.S. Navy "Cracker Jack" uniform from the '60's. The uniform, manufactured by Seafarer, has colorful ornate Liberty style stitching on the inside of the uniform. This Photo 2 of 2 shows the reversed top and bottoms exposing the stitching. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #navy #navyuniform #militaryuniform (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

4/2/16: Liberty Stitching Part 1 of 2 This is a U.S. Navy "Cracker Jack" uniform from the '60's. The uniform, manufactured by Seafarer, has colorful ornate Liberty style stitching on the inside of the uniform. This Photo 1 of 2 shows the top reversed to expose the stitching and Liberty Patch. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #navy #navyuniform #militaryuniform (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/28/16: Eindhoven Easy Company huddled in the streets of Eindhoven during Operation Market Garden, September 1944. The photo is blended with the pocket patch of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #airborne #101airborne #easycompany #bandofbrothers (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/27/16: Richard "Dick" Winters Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, during World War II. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #airborne #101airborne #easycompany #bandofbrothers (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/25/16: Old Abe The american bald eagle that is depicted on the 101st Airborne insignia, is not just an eagle, but Old Abe the eagle who, as an eaglet, was taken from the wild in 1861. Shown in this photo as an adult. The representation of his head in profile and a variation of the shield shaped perch he was carried on in battle, would eventually be depicted on the 101st patch. The eagle was sold for $2.50 to Capt. John E. Perkins, commanding officer of a Wisconsin militia company called the "Eau Claire Badgers." In light of their newly acquired mascot, the unit renamed themselves the "Eau Claire Eagle." Perkins' unit entered federal service and was re-designated as Company C, 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment. The Eau Claire Eagles' mascot was adopted by the new 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment which was quickly nicknamed the "Eagle Regiment." After much deliberation, the mascot was named "Old Abe," in honor of President Abraham Lincoln. Old Abe was present during all of the 8th Wisconsin's battles and was carried into combat. Seeing Old Abe atop his perch during the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, Confederate General Sterling Price remarked: "that bird must be captured or killed at all hazards, I would rather get that eagle than capture a whole brigade or a dozen battle flags." Source: Army.mil #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #airborne #101airborne (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/25/16: This is a WW2 era US Army pocket knife made by Camillus. It features four blades including: Blade, Punch, Can Opener and Cap Lifter/Screwdriver. It's finished with a bone handle and shield that has "U.S.A." Etched on it. I've seen it suggested that, because the center/side scales and bolster liners are made of brass, the probable year of manufacture is likely prior to 1943. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #armyknife (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/19/16: This is a WW2 Type B-4 Army Officers Garment Bag. The bag has the US Army Air Force logo, officers name ("Pearson, R.A.") and abbreviated serial number ("P-4946") stamped on in several places. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #armyairforce (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/12/16 I stopped in an antique store yesterday and found this badly beat up and previously uncared for footlocker with the name "Capt. Albert J. Vogel" and serial numbers painted on it. Someone even used it as a work bench to paint something. I passed on it and drove down the road. A few miles later I turned around and offered half the asking price, which was accepted. It was one of those moments for me that I have now and then when I ask myself "seriously, why are you buying this?" So I bring it home and start researching the name. Turns out Capt. Vogel was a staff officer for the 807th Tank Destroyer Battalion during WW2. The 807th played a major role in the Eastern Theater while being attached to several groupd and divisions. They were even assigned briefly to the 101st Airborne while the 101st and 807th TD's were at Haguenau, France (Band of Brothers, Episode 8). Makes me wonder where this trunk had been and when. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army "tankdestroyer #101airborne (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/7/16: Skivvies or Briefs? In case you ever wondered...this is a style of underwear worn by GI's during WW2. These are original WW2 era boxer style shorts in olive drab, with a 3-button fly and tape style drawstrings on the sides. This particular pair is a size 34 and dated 1943. It was manufactured by the Rice-Stix Dry Goods Co. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

3/6/16: Hell's Angel's This is a leather theater made patch, most likely constructed during the immediate post-WW2 occupation of Japan period. The hand-painted, cap patch sized insignia is approximately 2" across. It depicts a bulldog in uniform, smoking a cigar, while inside the downward facing fisted glove of a paratrooper over a parachute outline. The phrases "Hell's Angel's" and "11th Airborne" are printed on the left and right of the parachute. Although the exact unit this patch represents is unknown to me for now, I believe it to possibly be that of a Military Police battalion of the 11th Airborne Division. This patch once belonged to Jerome "Jerry" A. Sudut of the 11th Airborne. Mr. Sudut served in occupied Japan. During at least a part of that time he served as an MP for the 11th Airborne. He then accepted a combat assignment with the 25th Infantry during the Korean War and was posthumously awarded the Medal Of Honor. More to follow about Jerry Sudut in future posts. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #airborne #11thairborne (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

2/19/16: Random vid of some of my military bling. #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #armyairforce #navy #marines (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)

2/18/16: Can you help? I have this original WW2 era air crew photo posing in front of their B-24 bomber. My problem is, I cant seem to figure out what the nose art reads on the bomber behind the men. Looks like the words start with "The" or if its another word, begins with "The....". But thats all I can figure out. If anyone out there cares to take a stab at guessing, or better yet, actually knows this plane, I'd appreciate the help! Thanks! #ww2 #wwii #worldwar2 #worldwarII #respect #patch #military #patchcollection #militarypatch #militaryinsignia #WWII #army #armyairforce #airforce #B24 #noseart (at Sarver, Pennsylvania)