Attributed 101st Airborne Division Ike Jacket with Bullion Insignia and Free French Paratrooper Wing

The olive drab wool Ike jacket displays “U.S.” insignia and the crossed rifle collar insignia of the infantry branch, with the left shoulder having a large toned bullion patch for the 101st Airborne Division. On the lower left sleeve are three bullion overseas service chevrons. The left shoulder carries the orange lanyard awarded by the Netherlands to those paratrooper who participated in Operation “Market-Garden” in the fall of 1944. The shoulder have the rank insignia of a First Lieutenant. On the left breast are a bullion paratrooper wing and a bullion Combat Infantry Badge, between which are sewn ribbons which reflect the award of the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the European Campaign Medal with three campaign stars (only 456 Silver Stars were awarded to the Division during World War II). On the upper right breast is the bullion paratrooper wing of the Free French Forces. The interior pocket retains the Quartermaster Depot tag, with a stated size of 40 Short. The jacket is in excellent condition, without holes, damage or repairs. The interior lining of the jacket bears two stamped laundry marks, these being “M-9743” and “A-9765”. However these are enlisted ranks laundry marks and this jacket bears the rank insignia of a Lieutenant and it is attributed to a “Lt. Errico” with service number “O-793596”. The attribution is based upon an almost identical Ike jacket which was acquired with this jacket.  That jacket was tailor made in England and it bears the same bullion insignia as appear on this jacket, including the Free French Forces paratrooper wing. That jacket lacked ribbons. The interior pocket bore a British tailor’s label with the name of Lieutenant Errico and his service number as its owner.