Item Description
Original Items: Only One Available. This is an outstanding grouping which was obtained directly from the family of the Veteran! Leo Paynter served with Company “A” of the 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division during WWII. Accompanying the grouping is a letter from the veteran’s son which highlights some of his Father’s service. He landed in France with the rest of the 28th Division on July 22, 1944, and entered combat in the vicinity of St. Lo, Normandy just a few days later. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and Bronze Star for his actions.
The lot consists of the following:
- An excellent condition Early M1 Helmet with Fixed Bales. Shell is heat lot number marked “504D”. The Shell is in beautiful condition with excellent original paint, corking, and khaki chinstraps with brass hardware. The liner is in equally beautiful condition, made by Westinghouse with clean Khaki suspension, original sweatband and nape strap. The front of the liner features an unidentified yellow tactical marking os unknown purpose, possibly something unique to the 28th Division.
- Wool Shirt with 28th Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia. Shirt is in excellent condition, dated March 19, 1945 and marked size 14 ½ x 33
- Belt Rig; Consists of a 1944 Dated M-1936 Pistol Belt, 1943 Dated Carbine Magazine Pouch (Containing two parkerized M1 Carbine Magazines; one marked “KSG”), a 1941 Dated 1st Aid Dressing Pouch (with Carlisle Bandage inside), Mint condition Jefferson Quartermaster Depot, 1943 Dated Canteen Cover (the 1954 Dated Canteen inside was a later addition).
- Reprinted Photograph of Painted, circa 1945
- Letter from Paynter’s Son.
Identified Items from this famous division rarely come available! This is an excellent opportunity to conduct further research. Ready for Display!
The 28th Division during WWII:
The 28th Infantry Division after training in England, landed in Normandy, France, 22 July 1944, and entered the hedgerow struggle north and west of St. Lo. Inching their way forward against desperate opposition, the men of the 28th took Percy, 1 August, and Gathemo, 10 August.
On the 12th, Brigadier General Wharton was killed a few hours after assuming command. The Division began to roll north and east, 20 August, meeting light resistance except at Le Neubourg, 24 August, and Elbeuf on the 25th. After parading through Paris, 29 August, it continued its sustained drive through France and Luxembourg to the German border, assembling near Binsfeld, 11 September: It began hammering at the Siegfried Line, 12 September, destroying pillboxes and other fortifications, moved north to Elsenborn, 1 October, then returned on the 6th for patrols and rotation of troops.
The 28th smashed into the Hurtgen Forest, 2 November 1944, and in the savage seesaw battle which followed, Vossenack and Schmidt changed hands several times. On 19 November, the Division moved south to hold a 25-mile sector along the Our River in Luxembourg. The Von Rundstedt offensive broke loose, 16 December, along the entire Division front. The 28th fought in place using all available personnel and threw off the enemy timetable before withdrawing to Neufchateau, 22 December, for reorganization.
The Division moved to a defensive position along the Meuse River from Givet to Verdun, 2 January 1945, then to a patrol of the Vosges Mountains, 17 February. From 1 to 5 February, it participated in the reduction of the Colmar Pocket, headed for the Rhine and crossed the Rhine-Rhone Canal, 6 February. After an attack toward the Ahr River, 6 March, the 28th engaged in training, rehabilitation, and holding defensive positions. Beginning 7 April it performed occupation duties at Julich and Kaiserlautern until it left France.
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