WWII Vet Wants to be Buried in Full Uniform

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - WWII Vet Wants to be Buried in Full Uniform

Posted: 1/4/2015 12:20:36 AM EDT

Fellow Arfcommers,

A dear friend of mine has had his health take a turn. He feels that time has grown short and has made some final wishes known. One of those wishes is to be buried in full uniform, with all decorations in place. Unfortunately, none of his Army kit has survived the years. With his wife, we have begun the process of obtaining his records from the VA and obtaining a new set of decorations.

My funds are limited, but I hope to obtain a new uniform for him. He is a veteran of the ETO and was discharged as a PFC in 1945. If anyone has a source for vintage, or reproduction, WWII enlisted army dress uniforms, that won't break the bank, I would appreciate the help.

Thanks

Posted: 1/4/2015 12:56:32 AM EDT

[#1]

Size would help. Have you checked eBay? US uniforms are not all that pricey at least not that I am aware of.

Posted: 1/4/2015 1:05:48 AM EDT

[#2]

Hit up some gun shows or Mil surp shops if you have any around. I see more then a few WW2 era uniforms for sale. For that matter, post something on Craigslist with the approximate size he would wear explaining the reason why you are looking for a set.

Posted: 1/4/2015 1:18:03 AM EDT

[#3]

Get his info, unit, awards, sizes. Ill help if I can.

Posted: 1/4/2015 2:51:08 AM EDT

[#4]

PM inbound.

I'll donate some Items..

Posted: 1/4/2015 2:02:16 PM EDT

[#5]

Thanks for the responses. Any help I can get is greatly appreciated. I have an old tattered discharge. Most of it is illegible. But it looks like he was an MP(677) with the 769th Military Police Battalion (but that may have been his stateside duty station at time of discharge. I'm not sure.) I see 4 campaigns: Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland. Decorations: European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, AR-600-68, Victory Medal. It says he had a Sharpshooter Rifle Qual. He has said he also had a Machine Gun Qual, but I can't see it on there. Hopefully the new copy we have requested will be clearer.

As far as sizes go, I find it hard to judge size on a 91 year old guy. I will see what I can find out.

Thanks again.

Posted: 1/4/2015 2:07:17 PM EDT

[#6]

Bet his records burned when the warehouse in St. Louis went up. What you got is likely all there is. I would try to see if there is a pic of him with all of his decorations on his Class A uniform.

Posted: 1/4/2015 7:59:41 PM EDT

[#7]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/uss_sumner_county/6328336507/in/photostream/
found this. there are some pictures of B co.

Posted: 1/5/2015 11:51:26 PM EDT

[#8]

Quote History

Quoted:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/uss_sumner_county/6328336507/in/photostream/
found this. there are some pictures of B co.

View Quote

Thanks for this!

Posted: 1/6/2015 6:52:17 PM EDT

[#9]

Don't worry about size too much OP. Funeral directors will make it work even if it is too small or large.

Thank you for doing this.

Posted: 1/8/2015 7:52:06 PM EDT

[#10]

Try "at the front "

http://www.atthefrontshop.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=USSUPKG

Posted: 1/9/2015 10:41:09 PM EDT

[#11]

We're having lunch tomorrow. I'm going to ask hIs wife to look for some pictures. They had a fire years ago, but maybe. Hopefully I can get some size info too.

Posted: 1/18/2015 3:52:03 PM EDT

[#12]

Hello all. His wife found 2 pictures of him in uniform. They are small and faded. I blew them up some:

I think this is his unit's crest:

It looks like I will be needing his ribbons, unit patch, garrison belt, MP armband and a set of class A's. I'm not sure which cap to get; the peaked cap or garrison cap?

I found a unit patch on ebay for $20. Is that a reasonable price?

Posted: 1/18/2015 3:55:43 PM EDT

[#13]

Get the Saucer Cap like he is wearing in his photo. I think it is placed on his chest when they close the Coffin IIRC.

I sure wouldn't want to be buried with a Cunt Cap.

Posted: 1/30/2015 11:29:04 PM EDT

[#14]

I have acquired his service ribbons and uniform. I am in need of 4 campaign stars.

Question: Are the WWII campaign stars bronze or silver? I am getting conflicting answers from different sources.

Posted: 1/30/2015 11:41:57 PM EDT

[#15]

Thank him for his service for me.

Posted: 1/31/2015 3:19:17 AM EDT

[#16]

Quote History

Quoted:
I have acquired his service ribbons and uniform. I am in need of 4 campaign stars.

Question: Are the WWII campaign stars bronze or silver? I am getting conflicting answers from different sources.

View Quote

4 bronze, 1 silver will equal 5 awards.

Posted: 2/3/2015 5:47:08 PM EDT

[#17]

Just stepped in to say that the OP is a tremendous man and I have a lot of respect for what he is doing.

Posted: 2/3/2015 6:00:47 PM EDT

[#18]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just stepped in to say that the OP is a tremendous man and I have a lot of respect for what he is doing.

View Quote

Posted: 2/6/2015 10:46:18 PM EDT

[#19]

Update:
My girlfriend put together a shadow box for him:

I realize the flag is not period correct. The flag came off my best friend's uniform. He is a retired Army OIF/OEF vet.

My WWII vet friend requested a European African Middle Eastern Service Ribbon to wear on his lapel. It's at lower right (with campaign stars.)

Posted: 2/6/2015 11:12:22 PM EDT

[#20]

Very nice.

Posted: 2/19/2015 4:52:36 PM EDT

[#21]

Posted: 2/23/2015 2:11:10 PM EDT

[#22]

Is it too late?

Posted: 2/23/2015 3:21:52 PM EDT

[#23]

Quote History

Quoted:
Just stepped in to say that the OP is a tremendous man and I have a lot of respect for what he is doing.

View Quote

Agreed.........I tip my hat to you,OP.

Posted: 2/23/2015 10:57:48 PM EDT

[#24]

Hello all! I really appreciate all the helpful responses. It's not too late; he's still with us. We gave him the shadow box and ribbon a few days ago:

In the pic, the ribbon is already on his lapel, hidden by the shadow box. My gf boxed and wrapped his uniform to give him. He declined it saying he would rather not have it just yet. His wife has the uniform now and says she will give it to him when he's ready. Hopefully, that uniform will gather dust for a long time.

Thanks to everyone!

edit for spelling.

Posted: 2/23/2015 11:38:15 PM EDT

[#25]

This thread is awesome

Posted: 3/2/2015 1:30:46 PM EDT

[#26]

Op, I want to thank you for stepping up and making this happen. You have brought comfort to an aging veteran and it's obvious by the recent picture that he really appreciates it.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - WWII Vet Wants to be Buried in Full Uniform

General » Hall Of Heroes

Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.

Warning

Confirm Action

About AR15.COM

Stay Connected

Newsletter

Contact Us