Item:
ONSV22WOS32

Original U.S. WWII Named Custom 17th Airborne, 513th PIR Distinguished Service Cross Recipient Ike Jacket Uniform Set - Major Irwin Edwards

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. The Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) is the United States Army's second highest military decoration for soldiers who display extraordinary heroism in combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree that they are above those required for all other U.S. combat decorations, but which do not meet the criteria for the Medal of Honor.

There are over 5,000 recipients of the Distinguished Service Crosses awarded for service during World War II, with 3,984 from the US Army, one of which was Major Irwin Allen Edwards (ASN:032149).

This uniform set belonged to Major Irwin Edwards, which he wore during his WWII service. Irwin first enlisted as a 2nd Lieutenant with a Reserve Cavalry unit in July of 1932, serving til July of 1934. He went full active duty with the Army on August 14, 1940 and went on to serve a total of approximately 30 years. He ended up serving not only in Europe during WWII, in Korea and in Vietnam. Unfortunately we have not been able to locate any service information for his service after WWII.

During WWII, Irwin Edwards served with the 2nd Battalion, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment and was attached to the 17th Airborne Division, the unit where he would go on to earn himself not only the Distinguished Service Cross, but the Silver Star, multiple Bronze Stars, Purple Heart and a Commendation Medal.

Major Edwards DSC Citation:

“The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Irwin A. Edwards, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with the 2d Battalion, 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in action against enemy forces on 3 and 4 April 1945. Major Edwards' intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
Headquarters, XVI Corps, General Orders No. 69 (1945)”

The uniform is in excellent condition with very little moth nips present. The ike jacket features a lovely 17th Airborne Division patch on the left shoulder with an Allied Airborne patch on the right. The left shoulder still retains a Major rank insignia, while the right side is unfortunately missing. The collars retain the standard officer’s US insignia and the left breast pocket has a lovely pair of Jump Wings. On the inside left pocket, you will find his name written as Irwin A. Edwards in faded, but legible pen.

The included uniform shirt has Edwards written on the inside right flap and is also in great condition. The trousers, although in good condition, unfortunately does not have his name written on them, that we could find.

This is a fantastic uniform set with great history linked to it! Comes more than ready for further research and display!

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 10.5”
Shoulder to sleeve: 19”
Shoulder to shoulder: 25”
Chest width: 20”
Waist width: 19”
Hip width: 19”
Front length: 26.5"

The 513th Parachute Infantry Regiment was activated on 26 December 1942 at Fort Benning, and attached to the 13th Airborne 13 August 1943. On 10 March 1944 the Regiment was formally assigned to the 17th Airborne. After completing basic training, specialist training, and a variety of training maneuvers, the unit left with the Division for England on 20 August, 1944.

When the 513th arrived in England, the Regiment was sent to Camp Chiseldon, the 17th Airborne Division staging area, on 28 August, 1944. Flight and tactical training continued and night maneuvers were added to the training schedule. They remained in England until leaving for France in late December.

As part of the Division, the 513th engaged in the Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe Campaigns. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 1st Battalion reached Cochleval but was pinned down by heavy machine gun and mortar fusillades. When two German tanks broke out of the dense fog and threatened to overrun the 513th's positions, Staff Sergeant Isadore S "Izzy" Jachman recovered a bazooka from a fallen comrade and single-handedly engaged the two Panzers. He knocked one out and caused the other to fall back, at the cost of his own life. For his actions on that day S/Sgt Jachman was awarded the Medal of Honor.

In the heavy fighting after landing during Operation Varsity, PFC Stuart S. Stryker saw his unit's exposed position and ran to a forward position. He found his platoon leader and platoon sergeant dead. He rallied his fellow paratroopers in a wild rush toward the enemy positions. Just short of the enemy positions he was caught in a line of machine gun fire and killed. The remainder of his platoon overtook the enemy position, capturing two hundred Germans and freeing three captured American bomber pilots. For this heroic action PFC Stryker was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

Military government duties began 12 April, and active contact with the enemy ceased 18 April 1945. The division came under the XXII Corps on 24 April. It continued its occupation duties until 15 June, 1945 when it returned to France for redeployment. Many troopers were then transferred to the 82nd and 101st Airborne and for occupation duty in Berlin and Austria. Others joined the 13th Airborne Division, which returned to the US to be readied for the Pacific. The remainder of the division was deactivated on 15 September, 1945 at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts.

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