Description
This original WWII U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division paratrooper M1942 jump jacket is identified to First Sergeant Edwin E. Theeck, 6290147. View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding 1st Sgt. Theeck's life and military service. The M1942 jump jacket was worn by American paratroopers during Operations Torch, Husky and Overlord - the invasions of North Africa, Sicily and Normandy, respectively. Although officially replaced by the M1943 field jacket, many veteran paratroopers continued to wear their M1942s during Operation Market Garden (the invasion of the Netherlands) as a status symbol. It is constructed of an OD#3 (khaki) cotton material. It features steel Scovill Manufacturing Co. snaps, a CROWN zipper on the placket, and two SERVAL zippers on each side of its knife pocket. The collar's lining is twice stamped with Theeck's laundry number, "-0147-T" and the placket's interior is marked with Theeck's name and full Army Service Number, "6290147". The wearer's left sleeve exhibits faint remnants of an 82nd Airborne Division shoulder sleeve insignia patch, with a first sergeant's rank insignia patch's remnants below it and on the opposite sleeve. Its manufacturer's and size label has since been removed but please refer to the Measurements section for more details.
Provenance
Private Collection, Ventura, California
Condition Report
This jacket is in good, well used condition. There is a small hole beneath the wearer's lower left pocket, the steel hardware is corroded, and there are several stains throughout; however, all of its original snaps, zippers, and belt remain relatively intact. One of the zippers pull tabs is missing on the knife pocket and the main zipper exhibits a small tear in the teeth, just above the CROWN pull tab. We have made no attempts to force the pull tab beyond that point.
Measurements
Chest: 20 inches
Length: 27.5 inches
Sleeve: 23.25 inches
Veteran's Information
Edwin Emil Theeck was born on January 16, 1918, in Harris County, Texas. Theeck was a pre-war enlistee, initially serving as a private first class in the Headquarters Company, 26th Field Artillery Battalion of the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Theeck then entered jump school and transferred to the Headquarters Battery, 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division. On July 11, 1943, while attached to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Sgt. Theeck participated in his first combat jump, Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. His wartime experiences have been documented in both More Than Courage and "Men Will Come" - he is quoted in the latter:
"Then all hell broke loose. Our plane was hit by shrapnel. When the green light came on, Colonel Griffith jumped from the plane, to be followed by the rest of the plane. I was the last man to leave the plane and before I jumped, I took one last look in the cabin. I saw the general standing in the cockpit. General Keerans got killed when the plane blew up" (Vlahos 72).
He would go on to participate in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, Operation Market Garden, and Operation Varsity (the invasion of the Rhineland). Theeck survived the war, reregistered for the draft upon his honorable discharge, and reenlisted on May 8, 1946. He died on March 6, 2009, at the age of 91 and is buried at Big Sandy Cemetery in Dallardsville, Texas. Made available to the new owner below are Theeck's reenlistment records from the National Archives, a newspaper clipping documenting his experiences during Operation Varsity, his draft reregistration cards, "Morning Reports", WWII Memorial Registry entry, and gravesite. At Gustafson's request, the National Archives is currently processing Theeck's Official Military Personnel File, which will soon be made available below.
