A very clean 1944 dated Ike jacket that belonged to a sergeant of the 34th Infantry Reg., 24th Infantry Div. The jacket retains all of its original insignia which includes a 24th Division patch on left sleeve and wool backed sgt. stripes on both sleeves. The original combat infantry badge sits above the ribbon bar which includes Purple Heart, Good Conduct, WW2 Victory, Pacific Theater with Invasion Arrowhead and two battle stars, and finally the Philippine Liberation ribbon. Below the ribbon bar is an Expert Marksman badge. The coat has standard US and Infantry collar discs and a pair of 34th Infantry Regiment DUI’s. Condition is excellent with no mothing.
The 24th Infantry Division was one of the first U.S. Army divisions to engage in World War II combat and one of the last to cease fighting. On June 12, 1943, the 34th Infantry Regiment was reassigned to the 24th Infantry Division. In early June, the 34th was attached to the 41st Infantry Division, which was encountering unexpected resistance during its assault on Biak Island. A two-day offensive by the 34th secured Sorido and Brooke airdromes, key targets in the operation. On February 16, 1945, the 3rd Battalion, led by Col. Aubrey S. “Red” Newman, launched an amphibious attack on Corregidor, aiding the 503rd Parachute Regimental Combat Team in seizing the island. The unit also took part in the operations and liberation of Mindanao, carrying out mop-up operations until Japan’s ultimate surrender. Serving with the 24th Infantry Division, the 34th Infantry faced some of the most brutal combat in the most challenging weather and terrain conditions of the Pacific War.
