Need help identifying these please

[lbuttke]

I found an old milatary unifor in the hay mow I am cleaning out and am wondering if anyone out there can tell me what they are.

 

[fcurrier]

Lonny:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awards_and_decorations_of_the_United_States_military

 

[lbuttke]

Frank,
That helps with a couple of the ribbons, thanks!

Heres the right sleave

 

[lbuttke]

 

[lbuttke]

Left sleave

 

[lbuttke]

This uniform looks to be brand new as there is no name tag on it, and the tage in the right hand shirt pocked shows a date of 1950.

I am trying to find out who this uniform belongs to, so any help is apperacated.

 

[mbounds]

Lonny:

That's a Korean War era OD uniform. Probably a WWII "Ike" style jacket which was still the uniform of the 1950's. The upper red ribbon is an Army Good Conduct ribbon. The ribbon with a yellow center stripe is a National Defence Service Ribbon, One of the blue ones is a Korean Service Ribbon and the other is a United Nations Korean Service Ribbon. The brass framed ribbon on the pocket flap is a Korean War Presidential Unit Citation.

The two "bars" on the sleeve represent 6 months each of combat service and known by GI's as "Hershey Bars".

The collar brass is out of focus but appears that it may be Ordnance Corps or Transportation Corps. Give me a better (in focus) photo and I can ID it.

Somewhere in that Jacket should be a stamped/printed letter and 4 numerals representing the initial of the Soldiers Surname and the last 4 digits of his Army Serial Number (In those days all Military branches issued Serial Numbers. No one ever used a SSAN for anything.... We weren't even in the Social Security System till October 1958). All Army clothing was required to be marked with the individuals last name initial and the "last four"!!

The organization (Unit) patch on the left shoulder is not known to me.

The rank on the sleeve below the Patch shows that he was a Private First Class (PFC)

Hope this helps.

Myron Bounds
Sergeant Major
US Army (Retired)

 

[digger]

Lonny B.
The flaming torch patch was worn between September 1953 - June 1955.

The design of the insignia is that of a fire beacon and alludes to the old Korean system of alert communications. This system of lines of lighted beacon fires was used to alert the capital of danger. The flaming torch also is a symbol of liberty.

 

[lbuttke]

Myron,
Thanks that helps a bunch,
There is a bunch of stamped numbers on the inside of the colar of this, the pants, and dress shirt, however I did not see any inside of the dress hat/cap.
Can't call it here what my dad used to refer to them as, little kids and all come here now and again.

I cant get a better focas of the button on my phone camra, I tried many different angles, this was the best.
See description in next posting.

 

[lbuttke]

Thanks Charlie,
Every bit of info will help track down to whom this unifor belongs to.

The brass button, as best as I can describe:
A pair of wings comming out of a ships wheel, inside of a shield shaped like a highway sign, inside another ships wheel.

 

[rthomley]

Lonnie I agree with Myron on what he says.
I did first think that insignia was Army bands, but now I think it is Transportion Corps (A ship's steering wheel, superimposed thereon a shield charged with a winged car wheel on a rail, all of gold color metal, 25 millimeters (one inch) in height) Does that match?

 

[lbuttke]

Ron,

That is a better description of the brass button, and I belive you have it correct, I will have to take a better look at the winged wheel tomarrow as the uniform is at home and I am at work.

 

[digger]

This it?

 

[lbuttke]

Charlie,

That be it.

 

[lbuttke]

Well, I jut got off the phone with my mother, she informs me that this uniform belongs to my uncle, Victor Buttke who resides in a nurseing home not more than 20 miles from my house.
Guess where I will be headed after I have the uniform cleaned and pressed.

 

[digger]

Lonnie,
COOL!
Maybe he'll have a story or two share with ya about when he wore it and what he did.

Just in case you don't know, I'm bettin your gonna make an old VET very happy.

WELL DONE man.

 

[lbuttke]

Well we do have to look out for those who served our country and I do my part when and where I can.

I just hope Victor remembers that this is his uniform, as mom says, most days Vic don't even know his own name.

 

[digger]

One memory is all it takes sometimes!

 

[dross]

I read this when I got home from work. Lonny, who found it and wanted to do the right thing. Charlie, Myron, Frank and Ron. Good work, nice job.

 

[lbuttke]

I hope when he see the uniform, all the good memories of those days come back to him.

I just worry that it may bring up some bad memories and the last thing I want to do is hurt the man.