IKE Field Jacket 29th Infantry Division

IKE Field Jacket 29th Infantry Division
"IKE" Field Jacket 29th Infantry Division.

The "Ike" jacket was introduced by Dwight D. Eisenhower. His design appeared in 1943 which was based on the British Battle Dress Coat. The first Eisenhower jacket was designed by a Russian immigrant, Joseph Rome, who ran the Post Exchange in Fort Lewis Washington in 1940. Then, Lt. Colonel Eisenhower, had asked to have a jacket made to his specifications, but Rome was directed to produce only regulation clothing. Persuaded and approved by the colonel the first "Ike" Jacket was made. Later, the Wool Field Jacket (M1944), was meant to be worn as part of the combat uniform, but was worn for dress wear by troops outside the US or those returning from overseas duty.

The 29th Infantry Division (29th ID), also known as the "Blue and Gray Division" is an infantry division of the United States Army based in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It is currently a formation of the U.S. Army National Guard and contains units from Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia.

Formed in 1917, the division deployed to France as a part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. Called up for service again in World War II, the division's 116th Regiment, attached to the First Infantry Division, was in the first wave of troops ashore during Operation Neptune, the landings in Normandy, France. It supported a special Ranger unit tasked with clearing strong points at Omaha Beach. The rest of the 29th ID came ashore later, then advanced to Saint-Lô, and eventually through France and into Germany.

A single breasted, fully-lined, olive drab wool waist-length tunic, with four button French fly front closure that leads to a lay-down collar and lapels. The integral shoulder straps are buttoned near the neck. To each upper collar point are brass collar dogs that represent U.S. Infantry Collar Dogs. There are pleated patch pockets to each breast, whose scalloped flaps have hidden button closures.

Under the collar is a webbed loop that corresponds to a button on the opposite side. The 10cm tall outside seam slashes at the pleated cuffs each has two buttons to one side, and a buttonhole to the other. Extending from the left waistband is a short tab, with a brass snap at its end, which mates with a snap stud to the base of the right side of the front closure. Short, horizontal straps with blackened steel buckles are to each hip. The buttons to the cuff, pockets and shoulder straps, and the larger ones to the right of the front closure are all of olive drab bakelite and appear to have their original stitching.

Also part of this jacket are it’s identifications, which includes the shoulder insignia for the U.S. European Theater Shoulder Flash.Used from February of 1944 to February of 1946. The lighting strike represent breaking the chains of German occupied Europe. An oval shaped, machine embroidered with lighting bolts and chain in yellow and red on a blue background with an olive green border, which is hand sewn to the left arm.

29th ID's combat service identification badge

Other insignia to the arms includes rank insignia for Staff Sergeant and 3 overseas service bars that represents 1.5 years. Above the right breast pocket is a "ruptured duck" for Honourable discharge.

- U.S. Combat Infantryman's Badge.

The Combat Infantryman badge was given for exemplary behavior in heavy combat. With the awarding of this badge came an increase in pay of ten dollars per month and if the soldier was a private he was promoted to Private First Class.
Badge measuring approximately 8cm x 2.5cm high, consisting of a silver edged, blue enamel bar, with a silver musket to its center, over top a silver wreath of oak leaves. The musket on a blue background represents the infantry while the oak leaves are symbolic of strength, victory and honour.

U.S. Meritorious Service Badge. These badges were awarded to personnel of units awarded a meritorious unit citation. This badge measures approximately 5cm x 5.5cm that features a yellow/gold wreath on a green threaded background.

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