This is a 25th Infantry division Pfc. Ike jacket. The left sleeve has a wool backed bullion 1st Corps patch and the right sleeve features a bullion 25th Inf Div patch with red wool background. Left sleeve also has 2 bullion overseas stripes indicating 1 year overseas. Jacket has infantry and US collar disks. The ribbon bar has a good conduct and Pacific Theater with 3 campaign stars. The quartermaster tag is dated April 1945. Condition is very good with only light wear. It is getting quite difficult to find good WW2 jackets dressed out in bullion.
The 25th Infantry Division participated in three major campaigns. They landed on Guadalcanal in December 1942, contributing to the cessation of organized Japanese resistance there by early February 1943. As part of the Northern Landing Force, the 25th Infantry played a role in the seizure of Vella Lavella from 15 August to 15 September 1943. Concurrently, other units landed on New Georgia, secured Zieta, traversed jungle terrain for 19 days, and took Bairoko Harbor, securing the island. They also cleared Arundel Island on 24 September 1943, and captured Kolombangara Island and the strategic Vila Airport on 6 October. The end of organized resistance on New Georgia was marked on 25 August. The division then landed in Luzon’s San Fabian area on 11 January 1945, joining the battle to liberate the Philippines. Advancing across the Luzon Central Plain, they engaged the enemy at Binalonan on 17 January. The 25th then took Umingan, Lupao, and San Jose, significantly diminishing Japanese armored forces on Luzon. Starting 21 February, the division commenced operations in the Caraballo Mountains alongside the 32nd Infantry Division, which was engaged in the Battle of Villa Verde Trail. The 25th advanced along Highway No. 5, capturing Digdig, Putlan, and Kapintalan amidst intense Japanese resistance, and secured Balete Pass on 13 May. This victory opened the gateway to the Cagayan Valley, culminating in the capture of Santa Fe on 27 May. The division continued its efforts until 30 June, when it was relieved.
