Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic example of a “jungle jacket” uniform set for (At the time) Major General John Norton. Lieutenant General John Norton was a general in the United States Army. His decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (4 times) and the Silver Star. He helped pioneer the use of helicopters in combat, and is a member of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame and the Army Field Experimentation Hall of Fame.

The uniform set came to us from the American Armoured Foundation, Inc. Tank and Ordnance Memorial Museum. The AAF Tank Museum was a living memorial dedicated to the Tank and Cavalry soldiers of the world. Before 1981 some of the artifacts that make up the AAF Tank Museum was a private collection belonging to Mr. William Gasser. Mr. Gasser felt that his collection would be beneficial in educating present and future generations to the sacrifices made and the technologies gained during war. Therefore, in 1981 the AAF Tank Museum was established as a non-profit charitable organization, and Mr. Gasser's donated his private collection to the Tank Museum. Mr. Gasser is still active as Volunteer Director and Curator of the Tank Museum and his knowledge of military history has been a great asset to the museum. Unfortunately after 20 years of operation it had to close its doors, which is when this uniform was acquired.

The set consists of a lovely uniform top (OG-107), trousers, “ballcap”, museum sign and a pair of 1st Pattern Jungle Boots.

This combat jungle coat is in lovely, service worn condition with great insignia. There are signs of moderate wear, but being a General’s uniform set, there is not much field wear present on the set. All pieces and components are in great condition and without any extensive damage or wear.

This is a wonderful uniform set and comes more than ready for display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 22”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16”
Chest width: 21"
Waist width: 19"
Hip width: 20"
Front length: 31.5

John Norton Cont.
Norton was born on 14 April 1918 in Fort Monroe, Virginia to Colonel Agustus Norton and Nancy Reed Norton. His father was a front-line artillery officer during World War I, and was an influence on Norton's desire to join the military and become an army officer. Norton spent his early life in Norfolk, Virginia, attending Matthew Fontaine Maury High School. In 1935, Norton enlisted in the Citizens' Military Training Camp in Fort George G. Meade. He enlisted in the army on 1 July 1936 and won an appointment to the United States Military Academy in 1937. Norton was president of his class during his second-class year and First Captain during his first-class year. Norton graduated in 1941 and commissioned in the infantry.

Norton's first assignment out of West Point was to 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division as a company commander. He then returned to Infantry School in the fall of 1942 to attend the Battalion Commander and Staff Officers Course and the Parachute Course. Following his completion of the course, he reported to the 82nd Airborne Division in North Africa. He was soon promoted to executive officer of the 2d Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Two months later, he was again promoted, to S-3 (operations officer) of the Regiment. He made his first of four combat jumps as an executive officer, participating in the Invasion of Sicily. After returning to North Africa, he made a second combat jump into Salerno, Italy, blocking German forces who were trying to attack US amphibious forces. His third jump was in support of the Invasion of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944 when he led his men in the dark over St. Mere-Eglise, France. In July of that year, he assumed command of the 3d Battalion; he was promoted the next month to G3 of the 82d Airborne Division. Norton made his fourth combat jump in September, in the Netherlands to take control of the bridges from the Dutch border to Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden.

After World War II, Norton returned to Fort Bragg with the 82d Airborne Division. He served successively as Division G-3, a battalion commander in the 325th Infantry Regiment, then Regimental Commander of the 505th Infantry Regiment and a second regimental command tour, returning to the 325th Infantry Regiment. He transferred to Washington, D.C. in 1948 to serve as a staff officer with the Strategic Plans Group of the General Staff, then with the Deputy Chief for Plans, Office of the Chief of Staff. From June 1950 to February 1953, Norton served as Military Assistant and Executive Officer to the Secretary of the Army, Frank Pace, Jr. He then attended the Armed Forces Staff College until he left to become chief of the American Section in September; he held this command until August 1955. 

Norton was originally ordered to return to the Armed Forces Staff College as an instructor; instead, General James Gavin made Norton chief of the Airborne and Electronics division of the Army Aviation Branch. Norton served in this capacity until September 1956, when he became a student at the Army Aviation Center and School to increase his effectiveness. While there, Norton became a Senior Army Aviator. Norton returned to his post after graduating in June 1957; he held this command until August 1958. In October 1957, Norton served as the escort to Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in his visit to America with Elizabeth II.

After attending the National War College in 1959, Norton Commanded the 2d Battle Group of the 1st Cavalry Division at the Korean Demilitarized Zone from August 1959, to September 1960. From then until May 1962, Norton served as the Continental Army Aviation Officer in the Continental Army Command. He was responsible for all aviation training, support, and doctrinal matters, and served on the Hoelscher Committee and the Howze Board. Under Norton's recommendation, the first Air Assault Division was created at Fort Benning in early 1963. From May 1963 to March 1965, Norton served as the Assistant Commandant of the Infantry School at Fort Benning. While there, he redesigned the school to better train the students to fight in the Vietnam War.

Norton was called to Vietnam himself, becoming commander of the United States Army Support Command in April 1965. After serving as the Deputy Commanding General of the United States Army Vietnam, Norton commanded the 1st Air Cavalry Division from May 1966 to April 1967. After undergoing a colectomy in June 1967, Norton became the Commanding General of the United States Army Aviation Systems Command, a position he held until September 1969. From October 1969 to October 1970, Norton was the Deputy Director of Modern Army Selected Systems Test Evaluation and Review project ("Project MASSTER") in Fort Hood, Texas, tasked with developing sensors to use in weapons systems in Vietnam. After initially being tasked with the position of Force Development in the Pentagon, Norton was instead made Commanding General of the United States Army Combat Developments Command. Occupying the position until June 1973, Norton assisted in the continued reorganization of the Army, unsuccessfully attempting to preserve the Combat Development Command, which was later reestablished at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. While serving in this position, Norton oversaw the early development of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and M1 Abrams tank. In his final assignment, Norton served as Chief of Staff of the Allied Forces of Southern Europe from June 1973 to August 1975.