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Red Ball Express. Wool khaki Eisenhower

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:425.00 USD Estimated At:850.00 - 1,150.00 USD
Red Ball Express. Wool khaki Eisenhower
Red Ball Express. Wool khaki Eisenhower-style jacket owned by a black soldier in the 466th Quartermaster Truck Corps, Motor Transportation Service a black unit popularly known as the Red Ball Express. A red ball placed on each vehicle for identification. This red ball worn on the drivers' sleeves was approved for local use only. History of this jacket places it as belonging to an individual from New Hampshire; #W9302 written on lining, this perhaps part of his serial number. Service ribbon bars on jacket show he served in Europe, Africa, Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific Theatres, with a battle star for each. The five "hash marks" on sleeve show 2 1/2years overseas. Silver pin on jacket denotes his rank as Sharpshooter, and patches include the famous Red Ball Express. This unit, based in Fenschafen, Germany, was formed in Aug. 1944, after the Normandy invasion. For 81 days, these trucks moved ammunition and supplies to the front because of lack of port facilities. A never-ending stream of traffic, through mud, continued until Nov. 16, 1944. The owner of this jacket was one of these drivers. In very fine condition, with pins and patches attached. A significant collectible.