WWII USN Navy PhM1c White Navy Jumper USS Mississippi (BB-56)

Something I have been looking high and low for is an IDed Navy or Marine uniform belonging to a vet who was aboard one of the Battleships at The Battle Of Iwo Jima. It finally paid off a couple weeks when I came across this jumper who belong to a Pharmacist Mate 1st Class who was aboard the USS Mississippi during the battle amongst many others. He enlisted in 1942 and seemed to have a long time on the ship. Quiet excited to finally add a WWII Battleship vet jumper to my collection. Thank you for your service!

Merry Christmas 5th Marine Division 1945 Kyushu, Japan Label

Christmas comes a few months early with another nice addition to the 5th MarDiv Sasebo Occupation is this excellent "Merry Christmas 1945" label.

WWII USMC Marine Dog Tag Silencers

These four pictures happen to be from two separate auctions and were up at the same time. I recently had an interview from a Marine who was in the 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion who participated in both the Battle of Saipan and the Battle of Iwo Jima. He stated at Saipan they cut up gas mask hoses and put the rubber ring from the hose around their service dog tags as a silencer to keep the tags from rattling and making noise. He said they were told to stop by upper ranks and they could get in trouble if they were found making them. What is great about these two separate auctions it appears that these two sets of Dog Tags were indeed made of gas mask hoses. A nice little detail that could be helpful with USMC reenactors.

Mac of Marines in China Big Little Book

I really enjoy discovering these vintage Marine related books, this one is Mac of the Marines in China, from the famous series of children books called Big Little Book.

WWII USMC Corporal Uniform Jacket 5th Service Battalion, 5th Marine Division 2nd Marine Division

Here is a nice USMC Alpha Coat that came my way recently. It belonged to a Marine who was in the 5th Service Battalion who also served later at the tale end of the Korean War, getting out in 1953. Its fairly typical to find many 5th MarDiv vet coats with 2nd MarDiv SSI on the sleeve as the 2nd Mar Div became a mustering out Division for many 5th MarDiv vets after their division was disestablished. Other features include a nice bevo style rank patches which seem very common on 5th MarDiv going home coats in 1945-46. Since I haven't received his records yet, I am not sure if he was an Iwo Jima vet, but there are some rosters that suggest that he was there. Nice to own a coat from one of the support Battalions of the 5th Marine Division.

WWII USMC 4th MarDiv Forest Green Jacket 1st Battalion 25th Marines

This here is a Forest green uniform that belong to a Marine in the 25th Marines 4th Marine Division. What is interesting is the high price this sold for online, two collectors must have really wanted it for their Collection. An incredible uniform set from a Marine who participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima.

WWII Navy Dungarees Denim Pants

These beautiful pair of Navy Dungarees appeared on ebay recently, we can never have too many reference photos of these on MIFG!

Iwo Jima Motor Hotel Motel Arlington Virginia Pamphlet

In era of Gas Station B-17s and the like, it wouldn't be that much out of the realm for there to be a Iwo Jima Motor Hotel. This is a pamphlet from one of the many Iwo Jima themed places that spring up around the nation after WWII, this one being located in Arlington, Virginia.

WWII US Marines Recruitment Poster December 16th 1941

This is one of those items that appeared on ebay which I saved the picture but didn't bother to look at the details of the item at the time. About a month after the auction I finally got a good look at the this items and didn't realize that the poster was from Salida, Colorado and makes reference that the Marines will be meeting with prospective recruits on December 16th 1941, a little over a week after the attack on Pearl Harbor. A very historic Marine recruitment poster from the opening days the US's entry into WWII.

WWII Marine IMAC Parachute Battalion Vet Photograph Portrait Paramarine

This photo of a WWII Jump qualified Marine in one of the IMAC Parachute Battalions appeared recently online. I really like this photo that includes an IMAC Parachute Battalion patch, jump wings and an Asiatic campaign ribbon. I really hope this photo was named, would love to know more about this marine.

Post WWII P41 HBT Coat Modified 1st Armored Amphibious Battalion FMF

This is a modified P-41 as used by a Marine in the late 40's early 50's. As you can see the bottom pockets removed usually for the purpose of tucking the jacket into the trousers. Also name tags over the pockets are a post WWII trait. I especially like this tag as its made of HBT material rather than the usual white tape or written in with a marker. While these coats were originally made in WWII their usage lasted through the late 50's and details such as name tags and removed pockets can specifically change the continued usage dates of these to Post WWII. An incredible coat none the less with a unique name tag.

WWII USN SC1c Navy Jumper USS APC20

I can never get enough of Navy Jumpers with Amphibious Assault Forces SSI. This one belong to a sailor who was a Ship's Cook on the USS APC20. Incredible uniform set!

WWII USMC Private FMF-PAC 7th AA Artillery Battalion

Here is a nice example of a Marine 7th and 12th AA Artillery Battalion vet coat. This marine served in both the 7th and 12th AA Artillery Battalions toward the end of WWII. Always nice to see FMF-PAC SSI on jackets!

WWII Navy Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class AH-1 USS Relief

Although this WWII Navy jumper is a bit moth eaten, this is another example of a great jumper from a historic and hard fighting Hospital Ship, the AH-1 USS Relief. This ship served in a hospital capacity in some of WWII's biggest battles. With some TLC somebody could have a nice example of a WWII sailor who witnessed some of the biggest battles of WWII.

WWII USMC Marine Mascot Dog Coat

File this in the "I can't buy it all" category, is incredible WWII Marine Mascot Dog coat appeared on an auction site a few months back. Incredible and rare item, it has the hallmarks of a late WWII manufactured coat such as the Bevo style rank on the side. One of the most unique items I've seen offered for sale!