Original Item: Only one available. WWII 82nd Airborne Glider material are some of the hardest most collectible items on the market, due to the small number of Gilder troops that landed in combat in comparison to infantry soldiers. T/Sgt. Joseph L. Cassidy (35614823) was an NCO in the 325th Glider Infantry which was assigned to the 82nd Airborne then the 1st Allied Airborne Division. He was sent to Europe during the war and was part of the occupation force after the war.

Joseph L. Cassidy was born on July 21, 1922 and enlisted in the Army on November 18, 1942 out of Columbus, Ohio. During the war he was hospitalized a few times for daily visits due to non trauma caused injuries, it would appear that he enjoyed himself with the local scene and contracted some “bring home” items. He served faithfully during the war and conducted himself accordingly during the occupation. T/Sgt Cassidy passed away on August 26, 2004 and was buried at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio.

The Ike jacket is in beautiful condition and has name and service number stamped in multiple locations. The front features a beautiful Glider Assault Badge backed with blue felt and white border. Just below the glider badge is a lovely Combat Infantry Badge. The left shoulder features an 82 Airborne patch, T/Sgt chevron and down on the lower sleeve are 5 Overseas Bars denoting 30 months spent overseas. The right shoulder has a beautiful 1st Allied Airborne patch with a T/Sgt chevron just below it.

The condition of the jacket is amazing with no major discrepancies or damage. Comes ready to research and display!

Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10”
Shoulder to sleeve: 25”
Shoulder to shoulder: 19”
Chest width: 14”
Waist width: 18”
Hip width: 17”
Front length: 24"

Called to active duty during World War II on 25 March 1942, the regiment formed under the command of Colonel Claudius M. Easley at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. After initial training, the regiment was reorganized as a glider infantry unit when the 82nd Infantry Division was reorganized as the 82nd Airborne Division in August 1942, and the 325th was redesignated the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment.

After further training, the regiment deployed to North Africa under the command of Colonel Harry L. Lewis. The regiment was not committed to combat until they conducted a landing at Salerno, Italy, on 15 September 1943. It was not, however, by glider but by landing craft

After service in the Italian campaign, the regiment deployed to England and conducted further training in preparation for Operation Overlord. Conducting a glider-borne assault on 7 June 1944, the day after the initial Normandy landings, the regiment fought in Normandy for over a month, sustaining heavy casualties before being withdrawn to England. On 9 June 1944 the 325th earned its first and only Medal of Honor of the war, belonging to Private First Class Charles N. DeGlopper.

Committed to another glider-borne assault in September 1944, the regiment fought in Holland as part of Operation Market Garden and later saw service in the Battle of the Bulge under Colonel Charles Billingslea.

After the war the regiment was reorganized and redesignated, 15 December 1947, as Company A, 325th Infantry Regiment. (Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps.)

Withdrawn 15 November 1948 from the Organized Reserve Corps and allotted to the Regular Army. Reorganized and redesignated 15 December 1948 as Company A, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment.

Reorganized and redesignated 1 September 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Airborne Battle Group, 325th Infantry Regiment, and remained assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division (organic elements concurrently constituted and activated).

The regiment was again reorganized and redesignated on 25 May 1964 as the 325th Infantry Regiment.