WWII USMC PFC 18th Defense

Here is something one does not see that often. Here is a USMC WWII 18th Defense Battalion service coat. The 18th Participated in the Saipan and Tinian operations and mostly used in defensive positions. These Defense coats are hardly ever seen in collections. Special thanks to Ben for allowing me to reproduce this picture.

WWII USMC Sgt 6th Marine Division

In my opinion it seems the two hardest divisions to find jackets for are the 5th and the 6th Marine Division. They don't appear as often as the others most likely because they were formed so late in the war. This 6th Marine Division coat appeared recently. As it doesn't cover what I collect, it was great seeing one of these coats being offered.

WWII USMCR Corporal 4th Marine Division Shirt

Last weekend I headed out to the Vintage Productions Militaria Collector Show at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA looking for my usual Forest Green coats. While I didn't find what I was looking for I did stumble across this great wool shirt patched with a 4th Marine Division SSI. These are actually quite difficult to locate and this one was in great shape. I usually only pick up IDed items but this was the exception as I hardly see these offered. When I went home I realized it was ID to a Marine from Seattle, Washington who was listed on the WIA list. An incredible shirt from WWII!Update 5/12: received his Casualty card and it appears this Marine was part of the Headquarter Company, HQ Bn, 4th Marine Division and was wounded on March 14th 1945 during the Battle Of Iwo Jima and was awarded the Purple Heart.

WWII USMC PFC 2nd Marine Division

Not much to say about this one but a simple and nice PFC 2nd Marine Division coat. A nice representative coat!

WWII USMC Sgt. 2nd Marine Division

Although I only collect 3rd 4th and 5th Division jackets I can see myself falling into collecting 2nd Marine Division jackets. This is a great and clean example of a 2nd MD jacket with one battle star on the Asiatic Campaign ribbon.

WWII USN Corpsman PhM 2C USS Darke

This was a fantastic Corpsman jumper that I missed out on in a big way. Named to a Jewish American vet who was on the USS Darke in late 1944. The USS Darke was one of the ships that landed the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima just a few months later. The roster of this ship lists this Corpsman as a participant of the Battle Of Iwo Jima. Simply a top Corpsman jumper and the winner got a treasure! Update: Due to some good turn of events I was able to purchase this Jumper for my Iwo Jima Collection.Update 6/12: I received the records to this Corpsman. he enlisted when he was 35 so he must have been the old guy on the ship. He also participated in the battle of Okinawa.