Item Description
Original Item: One-of-a-kind set. The Korean War (1950 to 1953) was the last American conflict involving segregated units of the arced forces, i.e. the US Army. 3 American infantry divisions -- the 25th, the 2nd, and the 3rd -- contained black combat units during 1950/51.
The 3rd infantry Division, complete with the black 3rd Bn, 15th Inf Regiment, disembarked at WonSan in northeast Korea in mid-Nov 1950, joining X Corps commanded by Major General Edward M. Almond, notorious for his racist attitudes commanding the black 92d Infantry Division in Italy during WW2. The division included, in addition to the Puerto Rican 65th Infantry, the black 64th Tank Bn while the Corps-level black 58th and 999th Fields Arty Bns provided supporting firepower. After acquitting itself well in a defensive role during the evacuation of Hagaru and Hungnam, the 15th's 3rd Bn excelled in early Feb 1951, and on 5-19/20 at Pungnam.
On January 29th, 1951 First Lieutenant Fred D. Hillard was shot in the head by a sniper and killed. He was one of the first casualties of the15th Infantry Regiment and his entire foot locker with all its contents was returned to his family. Hillary was a graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity (Beta chapter).
Included in this Footlocker set are the following items:
- Class A uniform four pocket tunic with presidential unit citation, French Fourragere Shoulder Cord, 3rd Infantry Division insignia path on left shoulder, and lieutenant bars.
- Ike Jacket with 15th Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia, presidential unit citation, French Fourragere Shoulder Cord, 3rd Infantry Division insignia path on left shoulder and lieutenant bars.
- 2 x fatigues (one with blood stain in neck)
- Ike jacket
- 4 wool shirts
- 4 wool pants
- Belts, buckles, neck ties
- 2 overseas officer garrison caps
- Named Purple heart in case with original cardboard mailing box.
- Named Purple Heart certificate
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Howard University Initiation Certificate dated 1947
- Lots of documents, correspondence, articles, ID cards, multiple photos, and other papers
- Photo of Hillard in Ike jacket
- Photo of Hillard and his graduating officer training school class
- Foot locker
- Much more!
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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