Posted 13 years ago
ThriftyGypsy
(103 items)
Good Morning Everyone,
I am needing some help identifying these military items I found in a box of knick knacks. I don't have a date for them or any type of location. The items that were with them all dated from the 50's and 60's. I believe we have some of the best military collectors that there are, so I know that someone will know what these are ! Thanks for looking. Thrifty Gypsy
All appear to be WW2.
The "IX" patch represents 9th Corps and the blue patch represents the 88th Infantry Division. A photo of the back may help to confirm they are WW2 era.
The crossed cannons on the brass disc is a WW2 era insignia for an Artilleryman.
The ribbon bar is for the European/ African/ Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. The two bronze stars represent service during two designated campaigns.
The tank pin is a home front/ War support pin (sweetheart jewelry) that would have been worn by civilians stateside to show support for their soldier overseas.
Scott
Well, the patch with the “XI” is actually upside down, it’s “IX”, a shoulder patch from the US Army 9th Corps. The other blue patch is for the 88th Division. The brass crossed cannon insignia is an artillery branch collar insignia for an enlisted man. The ribbon is the WWII European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon with two campaign participation stars. The tank isn’t a regulation insignia, but it is a representation of a US Grant Tank, which were built in WWII. The patches and collar insignia seem to be early WWII because the patches look like they have a felt, rather than embroidered background and the collar insignia has a post in back for attaching to a uniform, rather than clutch pins, which point to early or pre-WWII, except that the 9th Corps wasn’t active until 1940, and the 88th Division was reactivated in 1942. The 9th Corps guarded the West coast against invasion for the first part of WWII before serving in the pacific Theater of operations. After reactivation, the 88th Division served in Italy, which would earn the soldier the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon – However, the 88th served in three campaigns, Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley – and by the stars on the ribbon we know that the veteran served in two campaigns. These may be all from one WWII veteran with a diverse career, or from more than one veteran, representing several interesting facets of WWII.
Darn it Scott, beat me to it again!
Chris-- you added the details.
Mine was just the basics!
Scott
Thanks scottvez, and Chrsnp, I knew I could find out someting on these items, but I was not expecting that much ! You both definitely know your military items. Thank you both for taking the time to help me with these items... I now have the history to go along with them. Thanks again, Thrifty Gypsy
Thanks for the love BELLIN68 !