Original Item: Only One Available. This very uniform jacket appears in the wonderful book Heroes in our Midst, Volume 3, by John Angolia, on page 65. Heroes Volume 3 covers all airborne-related uniforms (132 pages), airborne commands and specific insignia of airborne and related uniforms (243 pages with many hundreds of full color patches and variations), and an addendum with a detailed jump helmet and netting section. 1640 photos,(most in color), 472 pgs.

When the 101st Airborne Division arrived in England, much like the many other American units during WWII, the soldiers experienced shortages in basic necessities like food, personal needs, uniform items and more. While the uniform items weren’t nearly as important as food, they were still needed by the soldiers. The biggest firms in London pulled together and started the process of fulfilling the needs of the soldiers while fulfilling the need of filling their wallets. Items that were once plentiful and now among some of the rarest types of insignia today, much like the examples still present on this Officer’s Class A Uniform Jacket.

United States Army uniforms in World War II initially included service uniforms that were intended for both field and garrison use, though some parts, such as the open-collared service coat like this one, were used only in garrison, while items such as the M-1941 Field Jacket were specifically for use in the field, and not meant to be worn in garrison. By the latter part of the war, the introduction of the M-1943 field uniform acknowledged the distinction between field and garrison wear.

Garrison uniforms included olive drab uniforms with coat and tie which were distinct for officers and enlisted soldiers, with the officers' version having a darker, belted coat that could be worn with trousers of either matching color or a contrasting light taupe (a combination known as "pinks and greens"), while the enlisted service coat was unbelted and lighter in shade to match the issued field uniform trousers. Late in the war the Eisenhower jacket was introduced, intended for both field and garrison wear, though it too became used only for garrison wear shortly after the war. A summer service uniform of khaki cotton shirt and trousers also was issued, but was used only for garrison wear as the herringbone twill utility uniform became the preferred warm weather field uniform. These uniforms remained in use through the Korean War.

This Class A jacket is in absolutely wonderful and highly desirable condition. Unfortunately, there is no name linked to the uniform, but that does not subtract from the historical significance. The coat features rare bullion insignia, one of which being one of the most rare, if not the rarest, 101st Airborne Division shoulder patch on the left sleeve. The bullion wire has tarnished to a lovely dark color but much of the bright gold color on the beak is still highly visible. The patch is still perfectly stitched to the uniform just as the day it was first applied. There is no significant damage present on the black felt background nor is there any damage (besides tarnishing) on the bullion wire and threads.

Other British made bullion insignia featured on the jacket is a lovely silver 1st Lieutenant bar on each shoulder and a lovely British made Free French Parachutist bullion patch, indicating this officer was once attached to one of their units. This is another extremely rare insignia made for the Americans and French by the British during WWII. The patch is in excellent condition with all thread and bullion still present. The Free French Air Forces insignia on the center of the patch is still vibrant while the bullion is tarnished but undamaged.

This is an incredible uniform with even better insignia present on it. Opportunities like this barely surface anymore and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to add this lovely Class A jacket to your collection. Detached bullion insignia is difficult to come by, but a uniform with them still attached is unheard of anymore.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10”
Shoulder to sleeve: 24.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 20”
Waist width: 17”
Hip width: 19”
Front length: 34.5"

The Story of "Old Abe," Famous Wisconsin War Eagle on 101st Airborne Division Patch
The Screaming Eagle insignia of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is perhaps the most recognized and famous shoulder sleeve insignia in the United States Army.
However the history and symbolism of the patch is often forgotten. The eagle on the shoulder is not just any American Bald Eagle, but instead, it commemorates the most famous animal mascot that ever served in the United States Army.

In 1861, an American Indian named Ahgamahwegezhig -- or Chief Sky -- a member of the Flambeau band of the Chippewa tribe, cut down a tree in an attempt to capture two American Bald Eaglets in their nest. Chief Sky later traded the surviving eaglet to Daniel McCann of Eagle Point, Wisc., for a bushel of corn.

McCann took the bird to Eau Claire, Wisc., and briefly kept it as a family pet. Caged inside a modified oaken cask, the bird grew larger and quickly became too expensive to feed. McCann actively sought to sell the as yet unnamed bird to the many units of Wisconsin troops passing through the area enroute to their muster site at Camp Randall in Madison, Wisc.

After many unsuccessful attempts to rid himself of the bird, McCann eventually sold the eagle for $2.50 to Capt. John E. Perkins, commanding officer of a militia company called the "Eau Claire Badgers." Part of the money was, reluctantly, given by local tavern-keeper S.M. Jeffers. 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.

During its time awaiting muster into Federal service at Camp Randall, the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment purchased a special, shield-shaped perch on which to carry their mascot. It was here, in Madison, Wisconsin where "Old Abe" was named in honor of our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln.

The 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment spent its entire military service in what was then known as the Western Theater of the American Civil War comprising: Missouri; Arkansas; Tennessee; Mississippi; Louisiana; and Alabama. "Old Abe" was present during all of the 8th Wisconsin's battles and was carried into combat by a sergeant on a special perch alongside the 8th Wisconsin's National and Regimental colors.

Seeing "Old Abe" atop his perch during the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, Southern 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."

During "Old Abe's" service, the 8th Wisconsin participated in many battles, expeditions, and pursuits of Southern forces. Among these were the battles of: Iuka; Corinth; Island Number 10; Big Black; Champion's Hill; the Red River and Meridian expeditions; and the Battle of Nashville. "Old Abe" was there every step of the way.

The 8th Wisconsin's most famous fight came in June of 1863, when the regiment participated in a futile frontal assault along Vicksburg's Graveyard Road. "Old Abe" and his regiment, then part of Mower's Brigade, failed to penetrate the center of the Southern fortifications near a 90-degree bend in the Southern defensive positions known as Stockade Redan.

Their enlistments having expired, the men of the 8th Wisconsin were mustered out of federal service in late-1864. The 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment was no more. On Sept. 26th, 1864, a contingent of 70 8th Wisconsin veterans marched "Old Abe" to the state and presented him to Governor James Lewis. "Old Abe" was donated to the people of Wisconsin by the loving comrades alongside whom he had fought for four years.

In 1865 an enterprising Chicagoan, capitalizing on "Old Abe's" fame, sought to enlist him in support of the United Sanitary Commission's efforts to provide aid and comfort to wounded Veterans. Thus the "Army of the American Eagle" was formed. Children were "enlisted" to sell paper photographs of "Old Abe" in much the same way that schools raise funds today. Proceeds from the sale of these photographs went to benefit local veteran's charities.

The Wisconsin War Eagle's post-war life was punctuated by frequent nation-wide travel in support of veteran reunions, patriotic gatherings, Soldier relief benefits, and special exhibitions during which he achieved a rock star-like status. In 1876, "Old Abe" again toured the country as part of America's Centennial Exposition.

"Old Abe" lived out the remainder of his life in an aviary in the Capitol building. In 1881, a fire broke out in a paint and solvent storage area near "Old Abe's" aviary. A month later the famous Wisconsin War Eagle, weakened by fumes, died in the arms of his handler, George Gilles.

Many newspapers and Veterans groups wondered aloud "what would become of this famous, flesh and blood war relic?" Upon his death, "Old Abe" was preserved and exhibited in the Capitol building's Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall until a fire destroyed the display in 1904. Sadly, only a few of "Old Abe's" feathers survive, carefully preserved by the Wisconsin Veterans' Museum in Madison.

Today, large sculptures of "Old Abe" stand atop the Wisconsin monument at Vicksburg, Miss., and atop the entrance to old Camp Randall, now the main entrance to the University of Wisconsin's football stadium. Since 1865, Wisconsin-based J.I. Case farm implement company has used "Old Abe" as part of their corporate logo. "Old Abe" also serves as the mascot of several Wisconsin high schools.

Since 1921, "Old Abe's" head, in profile, has served as the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). A large-scale diorama of the 8th Wisconsin's Color Guard, complete with "Old Abe," is on exhibit in the atrium of the division headquarters building on Fort Campbell.