Posted 13 years ago
sherrysumm…
(4 items)
My son was given my father's uniform while he was still alive & when I went over it, I called him & asked him what the different color stitching was for & what the small pocket in the back of the top below the circle of stitching was about also. You had to know my dad's sense of humor but he said that the little pocket was for "little things". Which meant that he didn't remember. I have asked a lot of people about this stitching & the pocket but no one seems to know what I am talking about or doesn't know why those things are there. The first picture is of the top (the pants are also in the box & have the same stitching in them). The second picture shows the stitching better & below the circle of stitches you can see the small pocket. In embroidery the stitch is called a chain stitch. This goes all throughout the uniform. I would like some more information if anyone can help me. My father was an electrician in the Navy & was on a couple of "secret" missions to put the electrical work into planes for the bombs. He never talked much about it but I found most of the information about his work through my mother before she passed.
Looks like your Dad was in the Navy in WW11, because of the "ruptured duck" patch on the right breast. The pocket was for 'little things', a pass or I.D. could be kept in them. the pants also should have a small pocket in them.
The stitching is a way for a sailor to personalize his uniform. It was against the rules to alter your uniform so sailors would have tailors put stitching where it could not be readily seen. A form of this was the 'liberty cuffs' as seen in the film "The Sandpipers" and worn by Steve McQueen.
Thank you so much. This was great to hear. He was an amazing guy, fresh from the farm & at college in Tucson on a scholarship when war broke out so he joined the navy. From story's I think he had more fun & experience in the navy than he would have in college. :) But I will pass this on to my son who is 21 & the uniform belongs to now. I really appreciate your time in passing this along to us. Thank you again.
AR8 Jason, That was funny to read because my mother would have killed him if he stepped out of line. One story she told was that he went to get a beer & was late for dinner about an hour or so & the roast was cold & she left it on the table for 3 days to remind him not to be late anymore! Of course, she loved to dance & my dad didn't so he would take her & she would dance with all the soldiers. Funny, they met at a dance in Tombstone. It makes me wonder why did they ever get together.
Oh, forgot to say....Thank you, my son will love the story plus the info on the pocket. Daddy was state-side his full tour of duty, & stationed in San Diego. I think he did his boot camp in Georgia or something like that. My job on the uniform this year is to take it down & make sure that everything is alright on the backside of it & to put the discharge paperwork. It should be something for my son & his son/or daughter to treasure.
The pocket was a good place to safely carry money.
The embroidery is great-- you might get a better picture of it all if you turn the uniform inside out.
Thanks for sharing!
Scott