Original U.S. WWII First Special Service Force FSSF 2nd Regiment Commander A2 Jacket, Officer’s Visor Caps & Captured German Map Set of Lieutenant Colonel Robert Simeon Moore - 2nd Battalion, 2nd FSSF Regiment Commander
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Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This grouping belonged to Colonel Robert Simeon Moore, who commanded the 2nd Regiment of the First Special Service Force, the legendary joint U.S.–Canadian commando unit known as the “Devil’s Brigade.” FSSF material is scarce by nature due to the unit’s small size and short existence (1942–1944). Material attributable to a regimental commander is exponentially rarer.
Moore was central to some of the most grueling and historically significant actions fought by the FSSF:
Kiska (Aleutians Campaign) - As commander of the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Regiment, he led troops during the harsh Aleutian operation, an early proving ground for the Force.
Mount La Difensa (Italy) - One of the defining battles of the Italian campaign, where the FSSF executed a near-impossible night cliff assault. Moore received the Silver Star for personally knocking out a German Panzer with a grenade.
Anzio and Southern France - As regimental commander, he led the 2nd Regiment during sustained offensive combat operations that cemented the FSSF’s reputation as an elite shock unit.
Collectors understand that provenance is everything. This is not a loose grouping assembled over time, it is a documented, one-of-a-kind officer’s group that came directly from the family. That echelon of leadership is rarely encountered on the market. Most surviving FSSF material is attributed to enlisted men or is untraceable.
The included copy of the photograph of Moore in the field with Robert T. Frederick, the commander of the FSSF, shows just how important Moore was to the success of the force. Frederick is one of the most respected combat leaders of the war, and visual association between the two anchors the collection firmly within the Force’s command structure.
Note: the FSSF patch shown in the first photo is NOT included and is only shown for reference purposes.
This grouping includes:
- Signed letter from Moore’s nephew detailing that the items in this group all belonged to Moore.
- Captured German map board actually used by Moore in Italy in 1943 with the original celluloid overlay that retains the markings showing the attack plan on the Italian coast. This is an unbelievable item that is more than worthy of the best museums in the country. The original Anvil-used map is still tacked in place and the overlay does show heavy wear and cracking. The leather securing strap and snap are intact, and the piece shows outstanding combat wear.
- Moore’s Flight Ace Military Cap in the Original Box with two rain covers. The cap is a lightweight white example with bullion oak leaves and acorns on the visor and a gold tape chinstrap held in by two gilt Federal eagle buttons. The cap eagle is a very gilded example, and the cap shows heavy overall wear. The interior has a name tag filled out by hand, Col. Robert S. Moore, O-25253. Size 7 ⅜. The original box measures 13 x 12 ½ x 6 ¼”. This is an outstanding set to find in the original box.
- Moore’s Officer’s mess dress jacket with braided rank for Colonel on each cuff. The interior shows RM monogrammed over the pocket, with his name written on the interior pocket name tag. The matching trousers are also included with a typed name tag COL. R. MOORE on the interior.
- Moore’s Dog Tag, reading MOORE, ROBERT S / O-25253 T44 / O / P.
- Moore’s leather name tag case with butterfly pins. These are the early butterfly pins with patent information on the back.
- A2 Leather Jacket worn by Moore overseas. No insignia, retains the tag, showing manufacture by Aero Leather Clothing Co. Knit cuffs and waistband are original but show heavy wear.
- Moore’s officer’s dress visor cap with bullion oak leaves and acorns on visor, blue infantry hat band with two rows of gold tape, and officer’s eagle. Has Calling card reading Robert S. Moore / COLONEL / UNITED STATES ARMY. Post-WWII. Size 7 ⅜.
- Moore’s set of Japanese-Made Bullion Colonel full eagle shoulder boards in original box, showing make by Beni Dai & Co., of Tokyo. They cost him $3.20. Great set.
- Moore’s Winter Officer’s Visor with wrap-around chinstrap and calling card in crown, reading Robert S. Moore / Lieutenant Colonel / United States Army. Visor shows heavy wear across exterior and interior with verdigris on buttons.
- Three 3 x 3 ½” copies of the same photo of Moore, all inscribed with his name, number, rank, and branch on the back.
Robert Simeon Moore was born on January 25th, 1919 in Spartansburg, South Carolina. He graduated from Wofford College in 1940 with a 2nd Lieutenant Commission in the U.S. Army Reserve. His military education included the Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, and NATO Defense College. Colonel Moore entered the Regular Army in July 1940 under the Thomason Act. He served with the 29th Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning from 1940-1942 as a Platoon Leader and company commander. He was promoted the 1st Lieutenant on November 1st, 1941. At the beginning of World War II, Moore was assigned to then Brigadier General Dwight D. Eisenhower's staff for planning the European Campaign. He was promoted to Captain in June 1942 and to Major on December 7th, 1942. He joined the U.S. / Canadian First Special Service Force (FSSF) under command of then Colonel James T. Frederick, in early 1943 as a Battalion commander. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on August 18th, 1943. He served through the war with the FSSF, including the Aleutian/Kiska campaign in the Alaskan area, then through the Italian Campaign including Mount La Difensa, for which he was awarded the Silver Star, Garigliana/Rapido operations, Anzio, Beachhead operations and the invasion of Southern France. At the age of 25, Col. Moore was one of the youngest regimental commanders of World War II, commanding the 2nd Regiment of the FSSF at La Difensa, Anzio, and in Southern France. After the FSSF was disbanded, Moore served as battalion commander in the 474th infantry regiment with the 3rd U.S. Army in operations across Germany. He served in a plethora of other units during his service leading until 1972 when he retired after 32 years. During his service Moore had received two Legions of Merit, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Purple Heart, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, the Norwegian Haakon VII Cross of Liberation, the Combat infantryman badge, and the Master Parachutist badge. Robert Moore passed away on June 2nd, 2003 at the age of 84.
This is an outstanding once-in-a-lifetime group never to be repeated. Comes ready to become the centerpiece of any WWII collection.
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