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Description
This is an original WWII U.S. Army 541st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) paratrooper M1942 jump jacket. The M1942 jump jacket was worn by American paratroopers during Operations Torch, Husky and Overlord - the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Normandy, respectively. Although officially replaced by the M1943 field jacket, many veteran paratroopers continued to wear their M1942s during Operation Market Garden (the invasion of the Netherlands) as a status symbol. It is constructed of an OD#3 (khaki) cotton material. It features steel snaps, a CONMAR zipper on the placket, and two SERVAL zippers on each side of its knife pocket. Stitched above the wearer's left chest pocket is its original black and yellow jump wing oval patch of the 541st PIR. Interestingly, the 541st PIR served as an independent unit, providing heavily trained replacements to both the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions until being formally absorbed by the 11th Airborne Division in mid-1945. The jacket's manufacturer's label is still intact but has faded beyond legibility. The interior is marked size 38R but please refer to the Measurements section for more details. Additionally, the interior is marked several times with the laundry numbers of three different paratroopers: "J-1124", "A-3374", and "S-2825". A search of the National Archives yields 131 results, making this piece an ideal research project for its new owner. A now-missing square label appears to have once been stitched to the jacket just beneath the rear collar, as evidenced by the remnants of white thread in each corner.
Provenance
Private Collection, Hermitage, Pennsylvania
Condition Report
Fair
Good
Excellent
This jacket is in good, well used condition. All of its original snaps, zippers, and belt remain relatively intact and functional; however, the rear belt loop's stitching has failed.
