Original U.S. WWII 101st Airborne Siege of Bastogne Named M1942 Paratrooper Jump Pants with Reinforcements - Bronze Star & Purple Heart Recipient Vernis “Bing” Hilst, 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion
In stock
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding set of M1942 Paratrooper pants, the first we have offered WITH reinforcements! The pants have reinforcements on the knees and cargo pouches on thighs made by the “Riggers” in England in the beginning of 1944. Additional heavy canvas are sown on the jackets and pants of the M42 uniforms before the operations in Normandy. This set has the typical reinforcements of the 101st Airborne Division. These are much more difficult to find with reinforcements than without.
This excellent battle-worn set is inscribed with the name HILST in large stylized lettering on the sweatband, along with an inscription:
HILST VERNIS
36056921
Next to this is a stamped laundry number, H6921. These identify this pair of jump pants to Private First Class Vernis Arthur “Bing” Hilst, who served with the 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion, 101st Airborne Division. According to his obituary, Hilst was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart during the Battle of Bastogne in Belgium. Further inspection into his hospital admission file on fold3 shows that he was admitted in April 1945 for wounds to the face, abdomen, abdominal wall and pelvis, and loin by an artillery shell / fragments. The medical treatment he received included a suture to his urethra, and debridement without closure. So he appears to have been wounded later than Bastogne, but his Bronze Star would have been awarded for Bastogne.
Interestingly, Hilst was wounded again in 1961 while working as Special Tazewell Deputy Sheriff, when he was held captive by a gunman who jumped into his car in Peoria. When the gunman saw his deputy’s badge, the gunman yelled “Copper, I’m going to kill you”. He took $200 and Hilst’s wristwatch, and then fired his gun at Hilst, grazing his forehead. The gunman fled and Hilst was treated at St. Francis Hospital, later being released. Hilst passed away on January 1st, 1983 at the age of 62 in Pekin, Illinois.
The trousers show very heavy period service wear, with scattered holes, staining, and fraying of the material. The snaps are retained and in good order, as are the buttons though there is some minor chipping. The two reinforcement straps show graying but are tied correctly, and this is truly as good as it gets, a combat-worn set of 101st Airborne Paratrooper jump pants.
An excellent set of Paratrooper pants worn with the 101st Airborne Division throughout their combat in Europe. Ready to become a centerpiece of any Airborne collection!
Approximate Measurements:
Waist: 15.5"
Inseam: 30.5"
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