Original U.S. WWII M1942 Reinforced Paratrooper Jump Pants Named to 101st Airborne Siege of Bastogne Named Bronze Star & Purple Heart Recipient Vernis “Bing” Hilst, 321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion
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Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an exceptionally rare and highly desirable pair of original M1942 U.S. Reinforced Paratrooper trousers, representing one of the rarest examples we have ever offered. In decades of handling airborne artifacts, this is the first reinforced pair we have been able to acquire, underscoring just how seldom these survive.
Prior to the Normandy invasion in 1944, airborne "Rigger" shops in England strengthened the fragile M1942 jump uniforms by sewing heavy canvas reinforcement patches onto high-wear areas. This pair retains those coveted period-applied reinforcements on the knees and the thigh cargo pockets, a field modification strongly associated with the 101st Airborne Division in preparation for D-Day.
While original M1942 jump trousers are scarce in their own right, examples retaining these wartime rigger modifications are exponentially rarer. Most saw hard combat service, were later upgraded to newer uniforms, or had their reinforcement patches removed over the years. Surviving examples with their original canvas reinforcements intact are exceptionally difficult to locate and are considered among the most sought-after variants by advanced U.S. airborne collectors.
Opportunities to acquire an authentic, combat-prepared, reinforced M1942 jump trouser of this quality are exceedingly few and far between, making this a true centerpiece for any serious 101st Airborne Division or D-Day collection.
This excellent battle-worn set is inscribed with the name HILST in large stenciled 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: 31"
Inseam: 30.5"
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