Original Items: One-of-a-Kind Group. This is an excellent original WWII grouping belonging to Sergeant Harry T. Roberts, who served with the 436th Troop Carrier Group, a C-47 Skytrain transport unit assigned to the U.S. Ninth Air Force in the European Theater.

The 436th Troop Carrier Group played an important role in Allied airborne operations in Western Europe. Flying primarily the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, the group transported paratroopers, towed gliders, and delivered supplies during some of the most important airborne operations of WWII.

The group earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for its first combat missions on June 6-7, 1944 during the Normandy invasion. On later missions, the 436th carried troops and supplies and participated in glider operations in Southern France and the Netherlands. In March 1945, it supported the Allied airborne crossing of the Rhine during the final advance into Germany. Following the end of combat, the group assisted with the evacuation of patients and prisoners of war before being inactivated in November 1945.

What makes this grouping especially interesting is that we were able to locate a 1943 newspaper photograph of Harry T. Roberts, at which time he was serving as a Corporal. The accompanying newspaper material also mentions Roberts in connection with the 436th Troop Carrier Group and the unit's Distinguished Unit Citation for its Normandy missions.

The grouping includes Roberts' original dog tags, which show very heavy wear from use. They identify his next of kin as residing in Woodbury, New Jersey, providing an additional personal connection to the veteran.

Also included is a colorful patch depicting a soldier riding a bald eagle. This insignia is purportedly associated with the 436th Troop Carrier Group and is an especially appealing piece within the grouping.

A standard Ninth Air Force shoulder patch is also present, appropriate for the group's European Theater assignment.

The group further includes an Airborne Troop Carrier patch accompanied by a separate black AIRBORNE rocker.

A matched pair of Sergeant chevrons is present, along with a service stripe and five overseas service bars, reflecting substantial overseas service.

Also included is a U.S. collar disc and an aviation-themed belt buckle.

Of particular interest is a pair of 436th Troop Carrier Group Distinctive Insignia, or DI, manufactured by GEMSCo. These help firmly reinforce the 436th association of the grouping.

The ribbon group includes a Presidential Unit Citation ribbon in a frame, a European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon with three campaign stars, a Good Conduct ribbon, and a WWII Victory ribbon.

Taken together, the insignia, dog tags, unit DI, service stripes, ribbons, and newspaper photograph form a very cohesive grouping to a named Ninth Air Force Troop Carrier veteran.

The historical role of Troop Carrier units is often overshadowed by the airborne divisions they carried, but their missions were exceptionally demanding. C-47 crews and support personnel were responsible for delivering paratroopers and gliders into heavily defended areas, frequently at low altitude, at night, and under intense anti-aircraft fire. During Normandy, Southern France, Operation Market Garden, and the Rhine crossing, Troop Carrier units were essential to the success of U.S. airborne operations.

This grouping is a particularly appealing example because it combines identifiable personal material with insignia tied to a major combat Troop Carrier unit and period documentation connecting Roberts directly to the 436th.

Group Includes:

Roberts' heavily worn dog tags with next of kin in Woodbury, New Jersey
Purported 436th Troop Carrier Group soldier-on-eagle patch
Ninth Air Force patch
Airborne Troop Carrier patch with separate black AIRBORNE rocker
Pair of Sergeant chevrons
Service stripe
U.S. collar disc
Five overseas service bars
Aviation belt buckle
Pair of GEMSCo. 436th Troop Carrier Group DI
Presidential Unit Citation ribbon in frame
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon with three campaign stars
Good Conduct ribbon
WWII Victory ribbon
1943 newspaper photograph of Harry T. Roberts