US Army Uniforms in World War II

The United States Army in World War II used a variety of standard and non-standard dress and battle uniforms, which often changed depending upon the theater of war, climatic environment, and supply exigencies.

Men's Service Uniforms

U.S. Army basic service uniforms consisted of a winter service uniform of olive drab wool worn in temperate weather and a summer service uniform of khaki (tan) fabric. In addition to the service uniforms worn for ordinary duty and dress purposes there were a variety of fatigue and combat uniforms. Summer and winter service uniforms were during their respective seasons in the continental U.S. During World War II the European theater of operations (Northwestern Europe) was considered a year-round temperate uniform zone and the Pacific theater of operations a year-round tropical uniform zone. In the Mediterranean theater U.S. soldiers wore both seasonal uniforms.

Enlisted Men's Service Uniforms

Winter Uniforms

The issue enlisted men's winter service uniform in 1941 consisted of a four-pocket wool serge coat in olive drab shade no. 33 (OD 33, also called "light shade") and matching trousers. Shirts, which featured two patch pockets and no shoulder straps, were either OD 33 wool flannel or khaki cotton chino cloth. Either shirt could be worn under the coat; however, the cotton shirt could not be worn as an outer garment with the wool trousers. Whenever a shirt was worn as an outer garment the necktie was tucked between the second and third button of the shirt. The initial shirt had a standup collar like a typical dress shirt. In 1941 the shirt was redesigned with the collar band removed so the collar would lay flat when worn in the field. In 1941 the necktie for the winter uniform was black wool and the summer necktie was khaki cotton. In February 1942 a universal mohair wool necktie in olive drab shade 3 replaced both previous neckties. The OD 3 necktie was shortly superseded by a khaki cotton–wool blend necktie. The single khaki necktie was mandated for both summer and winter service uniforms.

Summer Uniforms

The enlisted man's summer service uniform consisted of the cotton khaki uniform shirt with matching trousers; the coat for this uniform was discontinued for enlisted men in the 1930s. The necktie was tucked between the second and third button of the shirt. Although originally used as a summer combat uniform as well as a summer dress uniform, after the invasion of the Philippines in 1942 the khaki uniform was largely replaced as a summer combat uniform by the herringbone twill utility uniform.

Headgear

The enlisted soldier's round crown visor caps were no longer issued to enlisted troops after 1942. Thereafter, only the garrison cap in either olive drab for winter or khaki for summer with piping in the color of the soldiers basic specialty branch remained as the universal enlisted service headgear. The soldiers distinctive unit insignia (DUI) was worn on the left front if the unit issued a DUI. However, after 1943 the manufacture of DUIs were suspended for the duration of the war.

Footwear

Issue footwear consisted of low quarter russet brown leather cap toe boots. For more on Army footwear see combat uniforms below.

Officer's Service Uniforms

Winter Uniforms

The male officer's winter service uniform in 1941 consisted of a four-button, four-pocket coat of finer wool fabric in olive drab shade no. 51 (OD 51, also called "dark-shade") a very dark olive green with brownish hue, nicknamed "greens". The coat was worn with a russet brown leather Sam Brown belt until 1942 when the leather belt was replaced by a cloth belt of matching fabric to the coat. Officers could wear trousers matching the color and fabric of the coat, or optionally they were allowed trousers of a contrasting pale taupe, officially called "drab shade no. 54", of the same material as the coat, nicknamed "pinks", leading to the nickname "pinks and greens" for the combination. Officers were also authorized to use the more durable OD 33 enlisted uniforms, except for the enlisted men's four pocket service coat, as long as they were not mixed with OD 51 or taupe clothing.

Officers shirts, unlike the enlisted shorts, included shoulder straps. Officers had additional shirt color and fabric options. In 1941 officers shirts included cotton or tropical worsted wool khaki shirts that could be worn with either the summer or winter service uniforms and wool shirts in OD 33 or OD 51 with the winter uniform. Additionally, in 1944 shade No. 54 taupe shirts matching the trousers were authorized. Officers wore black and khaki neckties with winter and summer uniforms respectively, like enlisted soldiers, until after February 1942 when the universal neckties were changed to khaki for all ranks. As with enlisted men, officers could not wear khaki shirts as an outer garment with the wool uniform. The shirt had to be either the same shade OD as the trousers or OD 51 with the taupe trousers.

Summer Uniforms

Male officer's summer service uniforms usually consisted of the wash-and-wear cotton khaki uniforms like those of the enlisted men, the main difference being that the shirts had shoulder straps added. However, for dress purposes officers also had the option of purchasing a khaki summer service uniform of tropical weight suiting fabric. The coat of the uniform was identical in cut to the winter officers' uniform. However, the cloth belt of the winter service coat was omitted.

Headgear

Officer's headgear for the winter uniform consisted of either an OD-51 peaked service cap with a russet leather visor or a garrison cap matching the OD fabric shade worn. The garrison cap for officers was piped around the curtain with black and gold cord except for general officers whose piping was all gold. The officer's rank insignia was worn on the left front side of the garrison cap. The service cap was also available in khaki tan with a removable top to be worn with the khaki summer uniform. Optionally khaki garrison caps were worn with the summer khaki uniform with the same piping as the winter OD version.

Footwear

Footwear normally consisted of russet-brown leather Type I (leather-soled) service shoes.

Eisenhower Jacket

During the war in Europe a short jacket was adopted by General Eisenhower as an option to the 4 pocket service coat. The "Eisenhower jacket", or "Ike jacket", was popular. It closely resembled the short British Battle Dress jacket that inspired it. However, development and approval by the Army was slow. Except for small runs of jackets made for soldiers in England, the U.S. Army did not provide the jacket as an issue item to enlisted soldiers until the war in Europe was almost over.

There were several versions. Two Ike jackets were manufactured in England and issued to troops in Europe before the jackets were approved Army wide. Both of these were essentially wool versions of the 1941 pattern poplin field jacket. These jackets were authorized only in the ETO. There were also non-standard conversions made for GIs particularly officers by tailors in the United Kingdom with degrees of variation.

The standard-issue M44 (Model 1944) Wool Field Jacket, made of fine-quality Olive Drab (OD 33) wool, was originally designed as a liner to be worn under the M1943 combat jacket. While originally intended as a field or combat jacket, it was nearly always reserved for service or dress wear. The M44 ultimately replaced the four button service dress jacket for enlisted troops. However, the phase out of the enlisted service coat was only completed after the war was over.

Wear of Insignia and Badges

With the service uniform the enlisted arm- and branch-of-service insignia was embossed on circular pins, while the officer's insignia was "free work" (i.e., open design with no backing). Officer's arm-of-service pins ("U.S." for the Regular Army) were worn on the upper lapels and their branch of service pins were worn on their lower lapels. EM wore the US disk on the right and the branch disk on the left upper lapel. The rank of officers was worn on the outer edge of the shoulder loops whereas enlisted soldiers wore rank chevrons three inches wide points up on both upper arms. Organizational patches were worn on the left upper shoulder only.

When the coat was worn no insignia was worn on the shirts except sew on patches. When the shirt was worn as an outer garment officer's wore pin on insignia on the shirt. Until 1942 the officer's US pin was worn on the right collar point and the officer's branch insignia was worn on the left. The officer's rank was worn on the outer ends of the officer's shoulder loops as on the coat. After, September 1942 the US pin was deleted and the rank of the wearer was displayed on the right collar point.

Distinctive Unit Insignia pins (featuring the unit's coat-of-arms) were worn in the center of the epaulet for officers and on lower lapels for enlisted men. These devices were rarely seen during the war as a metal conservation measure.

Wound Chevrons (awarded from 1918 to 1932 for wounds in combat) were worn on the lower right sleeve between the cuff and the elbow. Service Stripes, or "Hash Marks", (awarded for every 3 years of service) were worn on the lower left sleeve. World War I Overseas Chevrons [created 1918] and/or World War II Overseas Bars [created 1944] (awarded for each six months combat service overseas) were worn on the lower left sleeve between the elbow and lower sleeve, but above the Service Stripes. The World War II Bars were worn over the World War I Chevrons. After 1953 the Service Stripes were kept on the lower left sleeve and the Overseas Service Stripes were moved to the lower right sleeve.

Parachutist's Wings, Pilot's Wings, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Infantryman Badge, or the Combat Medical Badge are worn above the left top tunic pocket. Discharged soldiers returning home wore the embroidered Honorable Discharge Emblem (or "Ruptured duck") on the uniform over the right top tunic pocket on a diamond-shaped Olive Drab cloth backing. American and foreign medals or medal ribbons are worn above the left top tunic pocket. American and foreign Unit citation ribbons are worn over the right top tunic pocket. The Meritorious Unit Commendation patch [created 1944] (awarded to a unit for at least 6 months of exemplary combat service or combat support) is worn on the lower right sleeve above the cuff and below the Wound Chevrons.

Women's Service Uniforms

Female members of the U.S. Army during World War II were assigned to either the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) or the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC/WAC). The ANC preceded the WAAC/WAC so the two branches had separate uniform distinctions.

Army Nurse Corps Uniforms

Prior to 1943, the ANC winter service uniform consisted of the ANC pattern dark blue cap or garrison cap with maroon piping, suit jacket with maroon cuff braid and gold army buttons, light blue or white shirt, black tie and light blue skirt, shoes were black or white. The ANC summer service uniform consisted of a similar suit in beige with maroon shoulder strap piping and cuff braid, beige ANC cap or beige garrison cap with maroon piping, white shirt, and black four-in-hand tie. During World War II the first flight nurses uniform consisted of a blue wool battle dress jacket, blue wool trousers and a blue wool men's style maroon piped garrison cap. The uniform was worn with either the ANC light blue or white shirt and black tie. After 1943 the ANC adopted olive drab service uniforms similar to the newly formed WAC. Nurses wore Army hospital whites on ward duty.

WAAC and WAC Uniforms

In May 1942 Congress approved the creation of the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. Although the ANC were actual service members of the U.S. Army, the members of the WAAC were not, so they wore Army style uniforms with distinctly different insignia than U.S. Army service members. In the summer of 1943 the WAAC was converted to the Women's Army Corps (WAC). From that point the WAC were U.S. Army service members and their insignia was changed to that of the regular army.

Female service dress went through an evolution of patterns over the course of the war years, however throughout the period the service uniforms both summer and winter generally consisted of the WAC pattern "Hobby" hat or women's garrison cap, a women's suit coat, shirtwaist, four-in-hand tie, skirt, russet leather women's service shoes and hand bag. The women's olive drab wool "Ike jacket" was also worn as were women's service trousers. The colors essentially mirrored those of their male counterparts of corresponding rank in the equivalent service uniform although fabrics differed. There were also special off-duty dresses of summer beige and winter tan.

After the WAC were established the ANC adopted the WAC officer's uniforms, except for the ANC pattern hat and the ANC pattern handbag. However, those items were changed to olive drab and russet leather respectively. The ANC off duty dress was a separate ANC pattern in olive drab shade 51 or beige. The previous ANC beige summer service uniform with maroon trim was retained except that the tie was changed to maroon.

Combat and Utility Uniform

The United States Army during the inter-war period followed the previous model of having a standard uniform that combined elements of both the Class A (basic service uniform) and Class B (basic field uniform). By combining the uniforms, it was thought that time and money could be saved. Included in the clothing system was an olive drab (OD) wool garrison cap, olive drab wool trousers, an olive drab wool collared shirt worn with a black tie, an olive drab wool four button coat, and russet brown Type I (leather-soled) or Type II (rubber-soled) service shoes. An outer jacket or coat, either the Model 1938 "Overcoat, Mackinaw, Roll Collar" or the M1941 Field Jacket, nicknamed the "Parson jacket" after its designer, in olive drab shade No. 3 (OD3) was issued. The basic field or combat uniform for temperate or cool climates consisted of the basic wool uniform, without tie, along with a field jacket or wool overcoat, leggings, helmet and web gear.

In the European theater of operations (ETO), the basic wool uniform saw the most use and had the greatest functionality, being able to keep the soldier warm in the winter with its insulation and relatively cool and breathable in Northern European summer weather. However, the M1941 field jacket came in for considerable criticism; it was poorly insulated and the light cotton shell provided little protection from wind or rain. In addition, the OD3 coloring was deemed inappropriate for use in northern Europe, as it stood out against most backdrops, making soldiers more visible targets.

Herringbone Twill Uniform

Additionally, a fatigue uniform was issued, made of 8.2-ounce heavy cotton herringbone twill (HBT) cloth. The uniform consisted of a shirt, trousers, and a hat. Initially, this was a circular-brimmed "clam digger"-style hat which was later replaced by a billed cap that was based on a design used by railroad workers. Initially it was meant to be worn over the basic wool or cotton uniforms to provide protection during fatigue duties, but it proved to be much better material than the primary wool uniform for hot weather, as so it saw use as a combat uniform in nearly all of the major theaters of combat in which the US was involved.

The original 1941 version came in a light sage green color that faded with repeated washing. The later 1943 version had small changes in tailoring and came in a darker olive drab shade No. 7, matching the new M1943 version of the field jacket.

The M1943 Field Uniform

The M1943 uniform came into service in the latter half of World War II. The uniform was designed as a layered system, meant to be worn over the wool shirt and trousers and in conjunction with a wool sweater and liners in colder weather.

The most recognizable part of the uniform is the standardized M1943 field jacket. It was longer than the earlier 1941 field jacket, coming down to the upper thighs. It was made of windproof cotton sateen and was issued in a new darker olive drab color, OD7. The jacket also had a detachable hood, drawstring waist, two large angled breast pockets, and two lower skirt pockets.

The trousers were made out of the same OD7 cotton sateen material and white cotton twill inner lining, and were equipped with both front and rear pockets. They also had buttoned tabs at the waist in order to cinch the waist. For airborne troops, treated canvas cargo pockets were added to the trousers.

In the ETO, initial issuance of the M1943 was slowed as a consequence of opposition by some U.S. commanders. However, as U.S. and Allied troops pushed into Germany, more M1943 uniforms or components of the uniform were issued as the supply situation (including replacements directly from stateside arrived) and the weather became harsher as winter arrived.

In use, the M1943 was very popular with the men in the field, being relatively comfortable and having large amounts of pocket space.

Experimental Tropical Uniform

In 1943, after extensive testing in the swamplands and jungles of Florida and Panama, the U.S. Army determined that an experimental tropical uniform made of Byrd Cloth (known in Britain as Grenfell Cloth), would best protect soldiers from insects and disease while cooling the body and minimizing losses from perspiration. Byrd Cloth, as used in the Experimental Tropical Uniform, was a single-layer uniform of untreated OD long-staple Egyptian cotton, made in a tightly woven herringbone twill to prevent mosquito bites. In use, the uniform was intended to cool the wearer even when continuously wetted, as might be expected in a humid, rainy jungle environment. The uniform featured a short-tailed shirt, trousers with cuffs fitted with half-inch boot top fastening tapes, and a flap-protected fly to keep out crawling insects such as leeches, ticks, and chiggers. Pockets were shallow and kept to a minimum to increase cooling; users carried all their gear in load-bearing belts, suspenders, or in low-mounted field packs designed to minimize body contact (jungle packs). The uniform, always in short supply because of a shortage of Byrd Cloth, was used in combat by members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) and the Mars Task Force (Army 5332nd Brigade-Provisional) in Burma.

Because of the shortage of suitable weaving machines and resultant cost of weaving Byrd Cloth, a less expensive 5-ounce OD cotton poplin shirt and trouser were issued on an experimental basis in 1944 for use in jungle and tropical regions; while reports were favorable, existing HBT stockpiles were deemed adequate, and the uniform was not adopted.

Women's Fatigue Uniforms

Nurses wore Army hospital whites on ward duty although a seersucker version with brown and white stripes was created because the whites were hard to maintain in some overseas areas. This dress was inspired by a WAC seersucker version the same color. Sage green fatigue uniforms of herringbone cotton twill for women, along with women's combat boots, field jackets and flight clothing, were manufactured by the U.S. Army during World War II. However, when women's versions of these items were not available, as was often the case in overseas areas, men's issue work/fatigue clothing was used instead. The M1942 HBT "clam digger" utility hat was used extensively by the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps. They wore it with the back of the brim flipped up and the front of the brim pulled down and nicknamed it the "Daisy Mae Cap". It replaced the WAACs' distinctive "Hobby Hat" kepi for field use and fatigue duties.

Footwear

Army combat footwear in World War II originally consisted of a basic tanned leather shoe, used with heavy canvas leggings, the Model 1939 "Shoes, Service, Composition Sole", or Type I Service Shoe. This was an ankle-high field shoe made of tanned leather in a dark red or russet color, originally with leather soles. The sole was changed to a rubber composition after 1940 and designated as the Type II Service Shoe. Soon after the US entry into the war these shoes, which were also used as part of the Class A dress uniform, were replaced with a "rough out" field shoe made from leather uppers with a sueded outer finish, and designated the Type III Service Shoe. The Marine Corps version of these shoes were commonly referred to as "boondockers". In November 1943, the Type II and III service shoes were in turn replaced by a boot, the M43 Combat Boot or "Two-Buckle Boot". This boot had a permanently attached a two-buckled leather ankle flap, which was designed to replace the unpopular canvas leggings. The sole was made of synthetic or reclaimed rubber. Due to supply issues, soldiers can be seen wearing both the service shoes with the leggings and the newer combat boot.

Specialized Combat Footwear

A rubber-soled, canvas-top Jungle boot was issued during the war for use by soldiers in the tropical and jungle environments typically encountered in the China-Burma-India (CBI) and the Pacific theaters. The 10th Mountain Division's troopers occasionally wore the Mountain Boot, a low-quarter brown leather boot with a square toe and rocker-type sole, though this boot was phased out in favor of the Type III Combat Boot in the last year of the war. In 1944, the M-44 Combat Boot, a high-top leather boot with full laces was adopted for service, but for the duration it was primarily worn by soldiers on stateside duty.

Parachute troops beginning in 1942 were issued Jump boots – high-lacing rubber-soled leather boots which were intended to provide additional ankle support when landing by parachute. Although these boots were to be replaced by the new M43 combat boots, jump boots continued to be worn throughout the war. Nicknamed "Corcorans", from the name of the first contractor to manufacture them, they have become a status symbol as the footwear of paratroopers and Rangers.

Overshoes were normally issued to Army units during winter operations. In January 1945, some Army units operating in the ETO received shoepacs for wet winter wear. The shoepac was a leather boot with rubberized lower top and sole, worn in conjunction with the wool ski sock. While it was effective in keeping feet protected from soaking and freezing ground, the shoepac lacked foot support and tended to wear quickly; it also resulted in incidents of foot injuries when a soldier wearing shoepacs on a march in freezing weather stopped to rest, allowing perspiration-soaked socks inside the boot to freeze.

M1941 Field Jacket

The Jacket, Field, O.D. (also unofficially known as O.D. Cotton Field Jacket, Parsons Jacket, M1938 or M1941) is a field jacket that was used by US Army soldiers, most famously during the beginning of World War II. In 1941 it started to be phased in as a replacement for the wool four-pocket service coat of World War I, but around 1943 it was replaced in turn by the improved M1943 model. Due to wide adoption, the M1941 is usually recognized as a symbol of the World War II American GI. The jacket was made in a light shade of olive drab called O.D. number 2.

First Field Jacket

Through World War I, soldiers in the United States Army wore a comfortable loose-fitting wool four pocket field garment, which Lieutenant General Edmund B. Gregory, the Quartermaster General, later (1946) explained had then subtly changed to a tight-fitting version suitable only for garrison wear. He further pointed out that this followed the general pattern adopted by most major armies of the world during the post-World War I period, but proved to be rather impractical. At the end of the 1930s, the Army moved to adopt a new outer garment that was intended to be more utilitarian and provide better protection in combat. The army's first attempts included adding a pleated "bi-swing" back to the service coat, a change adopted with the M1939 Service Coat.

The first field jacket was based on a civilian jacket suggested by Major General James K. Parsons, for whom it was unofficially named. Unlike the service coat, the material for the jacket was more wind and water resistant. A further reason for adopting a field jacket made of a different material was that shortages of wool were expected. The jacket could be worn with both winter (OD wool) and summer (khaki chino) uniforms as well as fatigue uniforms. The Olive Drab Cotton Field Jacket was standardized and adopted in June 1940 for use by all members of the US Army for wear with both the winter and summer service uniforms. Jackets of similar design were later also adopted by the Navy and Marine Corps.

The designations of "M1938", "M1941", or "M41" are technically incorrect. The Army Quartermaster Corps, who developed clothing, used model numbers sparingly and only used them to differentiate two or more similar types of garments from one another. In 1940, there was only one field jacket, so there was no need to give it a model number.

Design

The jacket was modeled after a civilian windbreaker design, and was constructed of an olive drab shade 2 cotton poplin outer shell with a dark olive drab blanket wool flannel lining, with shell color on new jackets was a pale pea-green color, but faded fairly quickly with heavy use and sun exposure to the more common beige-green. The jacket had a front zipper front closure with a buttoned storm flap. The jacket also had buttons at the collar for closing the lapels to warm the neck region, as well as buttoned adjusting tabs on each side of the waist and at the cuffs to seal in body heat, and buttoned shoulder epaulets. There were two front slash pockets and a notched lapel collar. Earlier models of the jacket (M-38 Parsons jacket) do not have the shoulder epaulets, but the two front slash pockets had buttoned pocket flaps and a thinner half-belt back seam.

World War II

When the US entered the war in 1941, the O.D. cotton field jacket was the standard outer garment for all army personnel, except those that had other specialist clothing (Paratroopers wore the parachutist's coat and trousers, tank crews wore the tankers jacket, various types of parkas were worn in cold weather, etc.). As a result, the field jacket could be seen worn in every theater of war and by nearly every type of soldier, making a rather ubiquitous symbol of the World War II American GI.

Throughout the course of the war, the O.D. cotton field jacket proved to be an inadequate outer garment. The jacket's thin lining provided poor insulation during cold weather and the light cotton shell provided little protection from wet weather and wind. In addition, the lighter shade of OD 3 faded quickly and resulted in a beige color, thus compromising the effect of camouflage – which troops in the field found out the hard way, and often turned their jackets inside-out because the wool lining was a darker shade of O.D. and didn't gleam in the sunlight like the poplin shell did.

The O.D. cotton field jacket was officially replaced with the adoption of the M1943 uniform ensemble as the standard, which included the much improved M1943 field jacket. The O.D. cotton field jacket was redesignated limited standard and issued until supplies were exhausted. Photographic evidence shows that soldiers continued to wear the older jacket all the way through the end of the war, due to supply shortages and squabbling between the Quartermaster Corps and field commanders, who all had their own ideas of what the troops should "look like". The jackets even show up in limited use during the Korean War.

M1943 Uniform

The U.S. Army's M1943 uniform was a combat uniform manufactured in windproof cotton sateen cloth introduced in 1943 to replace a variety of other specialist uniforms and some inadequate garments, like the M1941 Field Jacket. It was used through the remainder of World War II and into the Korean War with modifications before being replaced by the OG-107 uniform beginning in 1952.

Pre-1943

By 1941, soldiers wore an olive drab shade no. 33 wool flannel shirt and wool serge trousers in winter and a cotton khaki shirt and trousers in summer, both worn with ankle-length russet leather service shoes and light olive drab canvas leggings. The winter uniform was often worn with the light olive drab shade no. 3 cotton M1941 Field Jacket.

A two-piece light sage green herringbone twill (HBT) utility uniform, which replaced a previous blue denim one, also saw use in combat, especially in tropical environments where the wool uniforms were too heavy. Armored units still were using wool riding breeches and wore high-lacing boots in some cases, and paratroopers were forced to use a general-issue HBT coverall with no real suitable footwear.

As a result of this lack of proper and suitable clothing, the armored units were issued general infantry uniforms, although by 1942 winter coveralls and winter "tanker" jacket had been produced with them in mind. These articles of clothing were made of light green cotton lined with wool kersey.

Paratroopers also received their own unique uniform in 1942, the M1942 Paratrooper uniform. It was constructed of light green cotton twill, with four front pockets and two pant-leg cargo pockets. They also were issued a new boot design of their own, of similar construction to the infantry shoe, only being mid-shin high and laced all the way up, known as jump boots.

There were many issues with these uniforms. The combat wool, khaki, and paratrooper trousers all did not have adequate locking stitches in the crotch resulting in frequent tears at that stress point. Paratrooper uniforms also often tore at the knees and elbows; they were often reinforced with canvas patches added by soldiers. The infantry uniform was lacking in functionality compared to the paratrooper uniform, and the tanker winter uniforms were sought after by almost every branch in the Army, making supply and production often difficult. Generally, these uniforms were seen as inadequate, and the Army sought to standardize a better uniform.

Initial Design

The most recognizable part of the uniform is the standardized field jacket. It was longer than the M1941 jacket, coming down to the upper thighs, had a detachable hood, drawstring waist, two large breast pockets and two skirt pockets. It was colored olive drab shade no. 7 (OD7), a darker and greener shade than the previous field jacket.

The trousers were made out of the same cotton sateen material. They were made similarly to the khaki trousers, but featured a looser fit for mobility and durability, and included button tabs at the waist in order to cinch the waist in.

The herringbone twill fatigue uniform was also changed to OD7, with the trousers redesigned to have two large cargo pockets on the side. The latter was done as eliminating the previous side and back pockets saved costs and time in manufacture. These items were designed to be layered either under the M1943 winter uniform or alone as a warm-weather garment.

To replace the separate canvas leggings, new M-1943 Combat Service Boots included an integrated leather cuff that was fastened by two buckles.

The uniform was designed to be warm in winter by use of separate liners for the jackets and trousers, both made of faux fur "pile". The trouser pile liners were dropped from the final system in favor of the previous wool trousers. The jacket liner was a separate cotton-shell jacket with two slash pockets and button and loop fasteners, but it was rarely issued in practice during World War II as it was intended to be replaced by the M-1944 Eisenhower jacket, though that was made a garrison only item before the Korean War.

Wartime Use

The uniform was tested in Italy in 1943 but some GIs (including Bill Mauldin) claim that non-combatant officers and enlisted personnel would use their position in the rear to get the new uniform, delaying the ultimate field testing in Italy for some time longer. This, along with shipping delays after D-Day kept this uniform from widespread use in Europe until late 1944. After D-Day, Paratroopers were issued complete M1943 uniforms, and infantry units began getting the uniform parts here and there.

Paratroopers were generally the only ones to modify the uniform, mainly because they would add their own trouser cargo pockets sometimes. They kept their older "Corcoran" paratrooper boots instead of the new M43 buckle boots because they wouldn't potentially snag on their parachute when it deployed.

The cotton sateen trousers were modified in 1944 with the addition of trouser cuff tabs and again in 1945 pattern with minor cut modifications and a move from stud to plastic buttons.

Postwar Impact

The 1943 pattern jacket was superseded by the 1950 pattern which changed to a button-in liner, then further modified as the 1951 pattern which added bi-swing shoulder pleats, and the use of zippers and stud fasteners. The latest version of the jacket, the M65, is still in service, and differs from the M1943 in that now it is made of a tougher cotton/nylon mix and comes in the new Army Operational Camouflage Pattern. It is no longer used for combat operations having been superseded by the Gen II and Gen III Gore-Tex parkas. The liner is also filled with newer polyester fills.

A new uniform, known as OG-107, was first introduced in 1952. By the beginning of the Vietnam War, it had completely replaced the M1943 uniform as the standard in the Army.

The American Soldier, 1938: Tanks were first used by the British in World War I in September 1916. Both sides recognized the impetus given to the attack by the use of tanks, and the Allies and the Germans had employed them in 91 engagements by the end of World War I. Development of both armored tactics and materiel marked the period between the two world wars. After a short-lived experiment aimed at establishing a mobile mechanized force at Fort Eustis in 1931, the Cavalry took over the role of developing such a force at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in 1933. In early 1938 two cavalry regiments, the 1st and the 13th, and other Fort Knox units were used to form the 7th Cavalry Brigade, with the then Brigadier General Daniel Van Voorhis in command. Later that year he was succeeded by Col. Adna R. Chaffee, a brigadier general by November 1938. In the right foreground is Brigadier General Adna R. Chaffee. Known as the "Father of the Armored Force," he dedicated his career to the development of armor. General Chaffee is wearing the summer khaki service shirt, with the silver metal star insignia of his rank on the shoulders/rap, and a black four-in-hand cravat. His ribbons are for the Distinguished Service Medal, the Cuban Pacification Medal, and the World War I Victory Medal. His undress riding boots are of cordovan leather, and his pistol belt, magazine pockets, and fiat aid pouch are ribbed, woven, olive drab web. He wean the standard khaki field cap authorized only for personnel of the Air Corps and for tank or mechanized units from 1933 to 1939. The patch on the field cap bearing the insignia of rank was distinctive to armored organizations. In General Chaffee's case, it is black velvet, denoting a general officer. Other officers wore a patch the color of their basic arm, yellow for cavalry, scarlet for artillery, or light blue for infantry. In the left foreground is a sergeant, also in the khaki summer service uniform, with the insignia of grade on his shirt sleeves, three olive drab chevrons. He wears a tanker's helmet, the regulation laced field boots, and laced breeches. In the background are officers and enlisted men and vehicles of the Cavalry Brigade.

The American Soldier, 1941: In the center foreground of this scene at the U.S. Military Academy are shown a brigadier general, his aide, a captain of field artillery, and a bugler of the 10th Cavalry. The general and his aide are in the dark blue mess jacket, three yellow buttons on each side, authorized in 1938. With the mess jacket they wear white vests and shirts, black silk bow ties, gold shoulder knots, blue dress caps, and black shoes. The general's mess jacket has dark blue silk lapels, blue-black velvet cuffs with a band of embroidered oak leaves on them, and a silver star to designate his rank on each sleeve. He has two stripes of gold lace down the seam of his dark blue trousers. His dress cap has gold oak leaves on the blueblack velvet band and on the visor, gold colored strap and buttons, and a gold colored coat of arms on the front. The aide's mess jacket and his cap band show the color of the artillery-scarlet-and on his lapels he wears the distinctive insignia of his regular regimental assignment, the 12th Field Artillery. His cap has a plain black visor and his trousers are light blue. The corporal bugler is a member of the squadron of the 10th Cavalry stationed at West Point. His uniform is the olive drab woolen service dress with the service cap of the same color. The corporal's coat has gilt buttons; he wears the gilt US., gilt branch insignia, and the black and yellow buffalo badge of his regiment on the lapels. His grade is indicated by two olive drab chevrons outlined in black on his sleeves. He has on russet leather waistbelt and buckle and laced boots of the same color. The trumpet is ornamented with a yellow and black tabard bearing the regimental badge. In the left background are two Army nurses: one is in hospital dress of garrison cap and cape worn over the white nurses' uniform with brown buttons, and white stockings and oxfords; the other is in service dress of dark blue garrison cap, dark blue coat with gilt buttons and a stripe of light blue braid on the cuffs, medium blue skirt, and white shoes and stockings. Both wear the gilt caduceus with a superimposed "N." their branch insignia, and the gold block U.S., the mark of an officer. In the right background are cadets of the Military Academy in their distinctive grey uniforms trimmed with black and yellow buttons, and gold lace insignia of cadet officers' rank.

  

The American Soldier, 1944: Two powerful Japanese air attacks on 7 December 1941 on Pearl Harbor and on the U.S. airfields on Luzon all but crippled American striking power in the Pacific. After this initial success the Japanese moved south, east, and west. Refusing to succumb, the U.S. and its Allies continued to resist and by early summer 1942 began striking back. In two and a half years of hard fighting, island by island, Allied forces commanded by General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester A. Nimitz drove the enemy back thousands of miles and were set for the reconquest of the Philippines. Experiences in the South and Southwest Pacific established a pattern of island warfare that represented one of the major tactical developments of war. First, air and naval forces isolated an objective and softened its defenses. Simultaneously other forces would attack or feint toward other islands to deceive the Japanese. Whenever practicable, small units occupied neighboring islands as sites for land-based artillery. Under cover of these supporting fires, the landing forces moved from ship to shore in echelons or waves, rocket-firing landing craft in the lead and amphibian tanks and tractors following to carry the assault troops directly onto the beaches and inland. Finally came landing craft with more infantry and with tanks, artillery, and support troops. Supplies followed rapidly as the assault forces secured and expanded the beachhead. All of the infantrymen shown on this plate wear herringbone twill suits, webbing, and belting in olive drab shade No. 7 adopted in 1943. These two-piece suits originally adopted as fatigue clothing later became the accepted summer combat clothing. They were used primarily in the Pacific areas rather than in the European Theater of Operations, where winter combat clothing was worn the year round. With the two-piece suit they wear the flesh-out leather shoe and dismounted canvas leggings used until replaced by the combat boot. All have on the M1 steel helmet and helmet liner adopted in 1941 in place of the World War I "tin hat." The soldier in the right foreground is armed with a carbine, .30-cal., M1; the soldier in the center foreground with a Thompson submachine gun, .45-cal., M1; and bot h have the holstered .45-car. pistol, model 1911, Al. The soldiers in the background are armed with the rifle, .30-cal., M1.

The American Soldier, 1944: After the breakout from Normandy, the rapid advance severely strained the supply system. The crossing of the Seine further complicated matters and a critical stage was reached when an impending operation required stockpiling 100,000 tons of supplies. As only 25,000 tons could be moved from the beaches by rail, trucks would have to deliver the balance to points behind the front lines. The assignment fell to Advance Section, Communications Zone. The Motor Transport Services provided direction and coordination while the Motor Transport Brigade handled the actual movement of vehicles. The plans took into account the narrow roads of provincial France and called for a one way loop from St. Lo to supply dumps east of the Seine. Loaded trucks used a northern route and empty vehicles returned along southern roads. [Red balls on the trucks identified the vehicles and on sign posts, the roads] while military police on the route sported distinctive red balls on their helmets. Because of this unique identification the operation became known as the Red Ball Express. Red Ball convoys began to roll on 25 August 1944. After four days tonnage reached a peak of 12,342 tons carried by 5,958 vehicles from 132 truck companies. In addition to regulating convoy movements, traffic control points at main intersections provided services for both drivers and vehicles. At midpoint on the route drivers were relieved by rested men. They waited and picked up the same truck on the return trip. With only two drivers, a truck was more likely to receive proper maintenance. By 16 November the Red Ball Express had reached the end of its usefulness; the route stretched over 600 miles and men and vehicles had arrived at the limits of their endurance. Fortunately repairs to rail and waterways made it possible to continue the flow of supplies to the front. During its 81 days of operation the Red Ball Express handled 412, 193 tons. Expecting all Allied pause for resupply, the Germans were caught off guard. As a consequence many lives were saved and the conflict brought closer to a victorious conclusion. Here in a soggy field somewhere outside Versailles, a driver has pulled his disabled truck out of a convoy. Determined non-repairable by a Red Ball maintenance crew, its cargo is transferred to a replacement vehicle. When this is finished the driver will take a position in another convoy and eventually rejoin his unit at the exchange point in Normandy. The maintenance crew and driver are dressed in winter field uniform consisting of wool "OD" (olive drab) trousers and heavy twill field jackets. All are armed with 1911A1, .45 caliber, semiautomatic pistols.

The American Soldier, 1945: Men of the 5th Infantry and 4th Armored Division, who fought as teammates in Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.'s Third Army, show the combat uniform worn in the European theater in early 1945. The continued trend toward protective coloration and simplicity of style can be seen in these uniforms. All are olive green, varying only in the design of the individual pieces of apparel, which were adapted to the differing needs of the various branches of the service. In the center foreground and right background are two infantrymen, a major and his radioman. They are wearing wool trousers, the latest style cotton cloth field jacket, wool scarves, and leather gloves, but they are still using the old natural leather field shoe with the buckle top added. The covers worn over their steel helmets show adaption for varying combat conditions — dark for field and forest activities and white for winter conditions. The major's rank is indicated by the gold oak leaves on his shoulder straps and the oak leaf painted on his helmet cover. The radioman's grade, private first class, is shown by the single chevrons on his sleeves. Both men wear the divisional shoulder sleeve insignia, the Red Diamond. The major is armed with a .30-caliber M1 carbine in addition to the .45-caliber automatic pistol prescribed for his rank and duty, while his radioman is armed with a .30-caliber M1 rifle, the basic infantry weapon of World War II. The radioman wears his drab canvas musette bag slung over his right shoulder, and the major carries his brown leather map case in his right hand. In the left background is a Sherman medium tank with a 76-mm. gun and members of its crew. The tankers all wear the hard composition helmet prescribed for armored troops. The tank guard wears a field jacket of suiting lined with wool and with knitted cuffs, collar, and waistband over his tanker overalls and he also wears the new all laced combat boot. His technician 5th grade classification is shown by the two olive green chevrons with a "T" underneath on a black background on each sleeve. On his right shoulder is the red, yellow, and blue triangular shoulder sleeve insignia, common to all armored divisions, with the numeral 4 in black on it denoting the 4th Armored Division. The tank guard is armed with a .45-caliber Thompson submachine gun, a vehicular weapon intended for use in just the fashion illustrated.

The American Soldier, 1945: Because of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force (BEF), Brazil had the distinction of being the only Latin American nation whose participation in World War II was represented in division strength. The first Brazilians to fight in Europe were the men of the 6th Regimental Combat Team, committed in Italy on 14 September 1944. Other elements of the BEF followed and were assigned to sectors at the front controlled by the U.S. IV Corps of the Fifth Army. In 401 days of continuous operation as part of the IV Corps, the Brazilians took part in the liberation of 24,580 square miles of Italian soil, including more than six hundred towns and cities. One of the unit's more memorable engagements was an attack in support of the IV Corps' 10th Mountain Division assigned to take a series of mountain peaks and ridges which had been used by the Germans to observe U.S. troop movements along one of the two main arteries to Bologna and the Fifth Army's front. Two objectives of the Mountain Division's attack were Riva Ridge and the Monte Belvedere-Monte della Torraccia. Riva Ridge was a cliff that rose almost fifteen hundred feet from the valley floor, all of which had to be scaled prior to gaining access to Monte Belvedere. Covering on the right, the BEF was to hold a three-mile sector between the Mountain Division's right flank and the Reno River in front of the Fifth Army. During the operation, the BEF seized Monte Castello, about one mile southeast of Monte della Torraccia. Soon after nightfall, on 23 February 1945, the Brazilians assaulted the crest and seized their objective, thereby protecting the Mountain Division's right flank from enemy counterattack. Featured in this painting are members of the Brazilian Expeditionary Force in the final stages of defeating the enemy on Monte Castello. The men of the BEF are firing an 81-mm mortar and are attired in typical American uniforms of the World War II period: wool trousers, M1943 field jacket, and the modified M1910 individual equipment which included the M1 rifle, Ml carbine, and the M1A1 Thompson submachine gun.

The American Soldier, 1945: Among the many internment camps for civilians set up by the Japanese in the Philippines during World War II was one near the little town of Los Baños, forty-two miles southeast of Manila. Here, several miles behind enemy lines and approximately two miles from the southwest shore of Laguna de Bay, on Luzon Island, was the second largest concentration of allied men, women, and children in the Philippines. Represented were ten nationalities whose citizens ranged in age from six months to seventy years. While many were missionaries, nuns, and priests of various orders, a few were U.S. Navy nurses who had been incarcerated since their capture on Corregidor in 1942. In February 1945, the 11th U.S. Airborne Division and six Philippine guerrilla units operating on Luzon devised a plan to liberate the camp and for that purpose formed the Los Baños Task Force under Col. Robert H. Soule. The group consisted of approximately two thousand para-troopers, amphibious tractor battalion units, and ground forces as well as some three hundred guerrillas. The key to the rescue was an assault force consisting of a reinforced airborne company who were to jump on the camp while a reconnaissance force of approximately ninety selected guerrillas, thirty-two U. S. Army enlisted men, and one officer pinned the guards down. The remainder of the force was to launch a diversionary attack, send in amphibious reinforcements, and be prepared to evacuate the internees either overland or across the lake. The bulk of the Philippine guerrillas were to assist by providing guides and marking both the drop zone and beach landing site. This plan was based on intelligence provided by guerrilla observations of the camp guard locations and routines, supplemented by a detailed map of the Los Baños Camp which had been drawn by a civilian internee who had managed to escape. The group learned that eighty guards and a well-armed garrison maintained the camp and were backed by eight to fifteen thousand troops who were several hours' march away. Using this information, the reconnaissance force was directed to approach the area by way of Manila and Muntinlupa under cover of darkness on 21-22 February, in preparation for an attack on 23 February. At dawn, just before the planes were within sight bearing the paratroopers whose chutes would signal the attack, an alert Japanese sentry spotted a guerrilla moving into position and fired a shot to alert the garrison. The attack was forced into motion as a guerrilla wielding a bolo knife quickly silenced the guard, while others in the reconnaissance force killed most of the sentries who remained. By the time the airborne company could join the assault, most of the guards had been either killed or driven from their posts. When the remainder of the parent airborne battalion and pack howitzers arrived by amphibious tractors, the remaining pillboxes were taken and the force turned its attention to the sole reason for the entire mission: the liberation of the 2,147 internees from almost certain death. By 1:30 P.M. that day, the last of the internees, para-troopers, and guerrillas had been evacuated from Los Baños. Casualties consisted of three guerrillas killed and six wounded and two U.S. paratroopers killed and four wounded. Apparently, the entire Japanese garrison was killed. Clearly shown in the painting is a guerrilla armed with a bolo knife divesting a Japanese sentry of his rifle. Crouched behind the foliage and clutching U.S. issued .30 caliber M1903 series rifles, are other members of the force who wait to assist the 11th Airborne force landing in front of the camp. 

Army Enlisted Men's Winter Service Uniform.

U.S. Army Air Forces officers wearing the "pinks and greens" service uniform combination.

Audie Murphy photographed in 1948 wearing the U.S. Army khaki summer service uniform with full-size medals.

One of General Eisenhower's personal jackets.

Female service dress in OD shade 33 at Randolph Field, 1944.

An infantryman wearing the first-pattern herringbone twill uniform.

U.S. paratroopers wearing M42 paratrooper uniforms reporting on the situation during the Battle of Normandy in 1944.

All the equipment of an Army enlisted man.

The field uniform, complete with cartridge belt, rifle and canteen, is worn on actual campaigns or on field maneuvers.

The service uniform, with woolen shirt and black tie, is worn for duty on an Army post, for office work, or for dress in town.

Service and field uniform for the summer is made of khaki, a drab cotton material first used by the British in India.

The new armored force uniform, or winter combat suit, was adopted this year for both the enlisted men and for officers.

New field jacket is made of a light-weight, wind-resistant cotton, with a flannel lining. Officers in the field may also wear it.

Regulation overcoat, with wool gloves, is here worn over field uniform. Leggings keep the trousers from getting wet.

First lieutenant in the Army.

The aviator's uniform, with field cap, is worn while in town and around flying fields when not actually flying.

The cavalryman's service uniform is similar to other officers service uniforms except for breeches, riding boots and spurs.

A major's mess jacket is here faced with light blue, indicating the infantry. Artillery would be red and cavalry yellow.

General's dress uniform is worn by Major General Irving J. Phillipson, commanding general; of the 2nd Corps Area.

Full dress uniform for an aide to the general has light blue trousers, with dark blue coat, a gold belt and gold aiguillettes.

Special formal evening dress for an aide to a general. Artillery is signified by the red stripe on the trousers, cap and cuff.

White mess jacket is correct for summer. Post commanding officer may even order civilian tuxedos worn at night.

An aide's formal dress for summer and tropics. The Army has nine cold weather uniforms, only three for war weather.

Army nurse wears regulation officer's overcoat and white one-piece nurse's uniform. Woman here is a second lieutenant.

Collar insignia.

The full range of Army uniforms in 1941. From left is shown the old service dress with overcoat and the old campaign hat, the new service dress with peaked cap, service dress with field jacket, mounted troops service dress with mackinaw, mounted troops summer dress with campaign hat, the new summer dress, dismounted troops summer dress with tropical helmet, armored troops summer dress, twill suit, olive drab coveralls.

Service Uniform of World War I, 1917-1919. The single-breasted tunic with high collar and patch pockets, and the breeches with cloth puttees wrapped around the legs from the knee to the ankle, was typical of uniforms worn by all the combatants during the latter part of the war. The British pattern steel helmet was adopted as standard by the U.S. Army at this time. A "pudding basin" helmet based on the German 1915 pattern was designed by 1918, but was never issued. In slightly modified form it became the familiar M1 helmet of 1942.

Service Uniform by the late 1930s. The jacket is the same as for the 1926 uniform, but the trousers, worn with canvas leggings, have taken the place of breeches.

The old and the new Service Uniforms, 1941. Comparison between the two shows how the family characteristics were retained in the Service Coat during several minor design changes since 1918.

Side view of the Service Coat, 1941, showing the "Bi-Swing" back. This feature was adapted from civilian sports coats and was designed to allow the maximum freedom of action for the shoulders, in particular during drill movements as shown here.

The unwieldy campaign hat was still being used in 1941 but was soon discarded.

Coat style Olive Drab Flannel Shirt. The shirt was normally worn with or without a necktie under the field jacket in combat dress or with the service coat. However, under favorable climatic conditions on service, the field jacket was often removed and the shirt itself formed the principal upper garment.

Revised Service Coat, 1942. With the adoption of a field jacket, the re-designed service coat became in effect a dress garment, and was worn as "walking out" dress and for occasions of a formal nature in camp and barracks, such as guard duty or parade. Note the slimmer fit and the elimination of the belt.

Summer Dress Uniform with peaked cap, 1942. This uniform, of pale khaki cotton twill, was the usual summer wear for "walking out" and for duties in camp and barracks where fatigue dress was unsuitable. It could be worn with a necktie or with the collar open.

The Olive Drab Field Jacket, 1941. Based broadly on the lines of a civilian windbreaker, this jacket was made of wind-resistant, water-repellant cotton fabric, lined with shirting flannel. At first popular with the troops, its shortcomings were soon made apparent in operational theaters and it became the subject of much adverse criticism, being superseded by the M1943 field jacket. The olive drab necktie dates this photo as post-February 1942.

Summer Uniform, 1942. An alternative way of wearing the summer uniform with the collar open. The headgear is a field cap trimmed with colored piping to denote the arm of service of the wearer.

Summer Uniform, 1942. An alternative way of wearing the summer uniform with the collar closed and with a necktie.

The Woolen Field Uniform for Dismounted Troops, 1941. This shows the basic combat uniform, less helmet and equipment, that was worn by dismounted troops taking part in the initial American campaigns of World War II, other than those in tropical and jungle areas. Note the black tie and olive drab wool gloves.

The old and new Helmets. On the left is the M1 helmet which in 1942 replaced the British Mk. 1 helmet which the Americans had adopted in 1917. This demonstrates very clearly the superior design and shape of the new helmet, which was originally inspired by the German World War I helmet in 1918 when prototypes (wider and deeper) first appeared. The soldiers are wearing the 1941 form of combat dress with the field jacket omitted to reveal the flannel shirt as the outer garment. This was a summer practice in temperate climates. Note the bayonet sheath and canteen on opposite hips.

Blue Denim Fatigue clothing, 1940. This was similar to the style of working clothing that had been used by the Army since before World War I, except that a coat style had replaced the previous jumper pattern.

One-piece Herringbone Twill Suit for mechanics, 1942. The issue of this garment was restricted to mechanics and personnel of armored units, and was olive drab in color. Another "new" item is shown here, a twill fatigue cap.

Two-piece Herringbone Twill Fatigue Suit, 1942. This olive drab suit was the standard working fatigue clothing for all troops other than mechanics and armored personnel. It replaced (in most units) the blue denim suits. Pending availability of specially designed jungle clothing, these garments were also used as the basis for combat dress in tropical climes, then being worn with helmets and personal equipment.

One-piece, Special, Herringbone Twill Suit, 1943. Herringbone Twill material, although originally developed for fatigue clothing, became accepted as suitable for summer combat wear and for jungle garments. The design of the one-piece suit was changed to eliminate the cause of complaints by armored force personnel of burns received from metal buttons coming into contact with the skin and in this garment no metal actually touched the wearer. A stitched-in belt was incorporated and cuffs and trouser bottoms buttoned tight to protect against blast and gas. Because of its many buttons and gussets this garment was not generally popular.

Two-piece Camouflaged Herringbone Twill Jungle Suit. The one-piece jungle suit soon proved to have many disadvantages. It was insect proof while fully closed but the entire suit had to be opened for washing and natural functions, thus losing its value. When fully closed it was hot, and when wet it more than doubled its weight from three pounds to 7 pounds or more. This led almost immediately to the design of a two-piece suit with fly front button openings but in the same camouflage pattern as the one-piece suit. This was standardized in May 1943. From this date on it replaced the one-piece suit which then became "limited standard" until old stocks were used up.

One-piece Jungle Suit, 1942. A one-piece jungle suit for infantry and other fighting arms was specially requested by Gen. MacArthur in July 1942 after the early Bataan and Malaya campaigns. This was designed within a month and featured large external pockets, buttoned cuff, a zippered front, and had internal suspenders to take the weight of personal equipment worn with the suit. It was camouflaged green over a base color but was reversible with a plain tan color inside for beach or open country combat.

In March 1944 the two piece-suit was changed over from a camouflage pattern to a plain dark green (Olive Drab No. 7) as the camouflage pattern actually showed up on a moving man. Shown here is the jacket.

The pants of the two-piece plain dark green Herringbone Twill Jungle Suit.

Mackinaw, 1941. This was a cumbersome garment, originally designed for field wear in lieu of an overcoat. It was made of heavy canvas duck lined with woolen blanket material.

Modified Mackinaw, 1942. In this item the weight of the outer fabric and of the lining was decreased in view of shortage of the original materials. Design of the collar was also incorporated so that it was made of the same material as the coat itself rather than the woolen fabric of the lining.

The fiber tropical helmet was an early casualty of the rationalization scheme and was discarded early in 1942.

Revised Mackinaw, 1943. Final version of the mackinaw, it no longer had a belt, and the collar had a notched lapel for easier buttoning. This was the garment that became known as the "jeep coat" and it was worn principally by transport personnel because supplies of the M1943 field jacket were insufficient to equip. A similar coat was issued to British Army personnel who referred to it as the jacket reefer.

Helmet Liner for the M1 Helmet.

Complete assembly of the M1 Helmet with Helmet Liner.

Melton Olive Drab Overcoat, 1942. Although it had been expected that the overcoat would be an extremely useful item of combat clothing, in practice it was too clumsy, and was often discarded. The development of a winter combat uniform made the overcoat unnecessary as combat wear, and it became, in effect, a dress item.

Woolen knitted Toque. The toque and a knitted "stocking" cap were standard items of winter combat clothing.

Enlisted Men's Raincoat. This design of raincoat was adopted in 1938, and with only minor modifications remained in service throughout World War II. However, much thought and research development was given to the fabric from which it was made, and various types of waterproofing agents, rubber and synthetic resigns, were employed.

Synthetic Resin Coated Poncho. Although simple in construction and versatile in use, this garment, a rectangle of cloth with a neck opening in the middle, was never really popular with the troops. Two or more could be fitted together to form a light bivouac type shelter. It was subsequently replace by a lighter nylon version.

Types of Hats, 1941. Some idea of the multiplicity of military headgear in service at the outbreak of the war is given by this photo. In fact, the old British type steel helmet was also worn at this time during the opening campaigns in the Pacific Theater. Included here are the old and new campaign hats, fatigue hat, garrison cap, and winter hat.

In 1944 a hood, which could be worn over other types of headgear, was added to the M1943 field jacket. It fastened to the top button and shoulder loop buttons of the jacket and could also be fitted to the officer's trench coat.

M1943 Combat Dress. This represented a considerable advance in design over the earlier forms of combat dress. The basic suit, with cap, is shown.

The M1943 field jacket. The M1943 field jacket had an adjustable drawstring waist. Note the M1944 wool field jacket worn underneath through this garment was rarely so worn. The M1943 field cap is also shown.

The Pile Jacket Liner worn with the M1943 field jacket to offer adequate protection against severe weather conditions in winter or cold zones.

Utilization of the layering principle in the M1943 Combat Dress is here demonstrated by a soldier wearing the M1943 field jacket with beneath it several layers of warm clothing, i.e., woolen underwear, flannel shirt, high neck sweater, and pile jacket liner.

M1943 Combat Dress shown in cold weather with neck fastened, and back flap of the M1943 field cap folded down. Note the gloves for cold weather.

Wool Field Jacket, 1944. Originally designed on the lines of the British battledress blouse, this jacket was intended to replace the service coat as a field garment which could also be used as a dress item. In practice, troops in the field seldom employed it in combat dress, preferring to reserve it solely for dress purposes on leaves and furloughs. Its issue was restricted to the European and North African Theaters, but troops returning to the U.S. were authorized to wear it in lieu of the service coat.

Two-piece Special Lightweight Jungle Suit, 1945. In this suit a light poplin fabric had replaced the herringbone twill, and a loose fitting coat had been adopted.

Experimental battle dress in the North African Theater, 1943. As part of the development of the M1943 field jacket, several sample garments were sent to various service boards for testing, and a few were also sent to the North African Theater of Operations where they were received favorably, although recommendations were made for certain features to be changed.

A high neck sweater, shown with buttons fastened, was another important component part in the layering principle, supplementing the pile liner. It was dark olive drab.

Field Cap M1943 and Pile Cap. The program of standardization of items having the same use resulted in the all-purpose field cap M1943 (shown with the back flap lowered) and the cold climate pile cap which replaced no less than three similar winter issue items.

Lightweight Poncho. Nylon fabric was utilized for this item which was standardized in 1944 as a replacement for the earlier synthetic poncho. It could be used as a raincoat, individual shelter, sleeping bag, or with several others to form a tent. It had a drawstring neck opening and double snap fasteners down the sides.

Lightweight Poncho in use as a sleeping bag.

An excellent view of the one-piece twill tank suit, with the hood attached to the neck and shoulders, worn with a special leather tank helmet.

The one-piece tank suit worn with the zip-front field jacket. Man beyond is wearing the enlisted men's raincoat. The M1911 pistol is carried.

A close view of the composition protective helmet for armored personnel. Note the goggles. The men are in the one-piece twill tank suit.

U.S. troops in white camouflage clothing patrol the Domanial Forest, January 1945. This is an example of extemporized special garments, the shrouds being made at unit level from white sheeting. There were several variations.

Dressed in white snow suits, these U.S. medical corpsmen attend to a "casualty" during a demonstration at Ettelbruck, Luxembourg, January 1945. This special winter suit was introduced in the winter of 1944-45. It as in short supply a first.

Complete regulation dress for airborne troops. Note slanting breast pockets in jacket, reinforced trouser knees, and high-laced boots. The paratroop dress was in light olive drab and washed out to a give a grayish neutral color. This NCO is a technical sergeant.

Blending nicely into the leafy background, this soldier is wearing the camouflaged jungle suit and other accessories specially developed for warfare in the Pacific area. Note the camouflaged helmet, the anti-mosquito mask and gloves, and the canvas and rubber boots. The band on the helmet is for affixing local foliage.

General Lee in parade dress in 1944 wears a Sam Browne belt and "pinks." He has tan gloves and wears on his sleeve the unit insignia, three World War I service stripes, and officer's cuff braid.

A relatively rare item of clothing was the officers' top coat which saw only limited issue and appeared to go mainly to senior officers and generals. It was similar to the "British Warm" but of looser cut, beige in color. It could be seen with or without the belt, and, as worn here by Gen. Eisenhower, had generals' cuff lace and epaulette rank badges.

Senior officers in the European Theater of Operations wore a stylized version of the olive drab wool field jacket, with slit pockets, narrow waist band, and faced revers. Officers' cuff lace and other corresponding insignia from the service jacket were worn. The standard M1944 wool field jacket was also worn by senior officers and Gen. Eisenhower, for example, was photographed in both styles. In this photo the General talks to a private in summer service dress, wearing serge trousers and the olive drab flannel shirt. Note the bayonet holder on the haversack.

American troops being inspected by Maj.Gen. Russell P. Hartle in March 1942 at Londonderry, Northern Ireland. These were the first American soldiers to arrive in Europe and they wear the standard pre-war service dress with British Mk. 1 steel helmet. Note the black ties, later changed for olive drab, and the web equipment and haversack worn in marching order. NCOs at right have whistles. The company commander wears infantry arm of service badges on his lapels while the staff officer behind him has General Staff Corps badges. Officers' braid is seen on the sleeves and tan and brown leather gloves are in evidence.

The Army Air Corps was an Army branch and wore Army uniforms for everyday duties. Here Lt.Gen. Lewis H. Brereton, left, and his deputy, Maj.Gen. Ralph Royce, Ninth U.S. Air Force, show typical service dress. General Brereton is in service dress with cap and Gen. Royce is in the optional "pinks" and wears a garrison cap. The military policemen are in full parade dress, with service uniform, brassards and belts. Note the Ninth Air Force sleeve insignia and two styles of MP cap covers.

Contrast in general's service dress, Europe, 1944 From left to right are Maj.Gen. James M. Gavin with helmet, belt, and high boots, Gen. Eisenhower in M1944 olive drab field jacket, Gen. Ridgway in olive drab field jacket, garrison cap, and high boots, and Gen. Brereton in the officers' style blouse and service cap. Note variation in shades of olive drab cloth.

Infantry and an M10 tank destroyer unit advancing into the Paris suburbs, August 1944. Note the varying styles of wearing the trousers over the canvas leggings, and the discarded combat jackets tucked through their belts. M1941 combat dress.

Infantrymen in 1941 combat dress near Angers, August 1944. On his back he carries the basic man-pack frame, with an entrenching tool stuck through the straps.

Infantry in 1941 combat dress pass a knocked-out Tiger I tank in July 1944. Each soldier has worked out his own set of equipment, and the man on the extreme left carries a radio on his back.

The Commanding General of the U.S. 45th Infantry Division checks his map with one of his regimental commanders, a lieutenant colonel. Both are in variations of the M1941 combat dress, but the general has paratrooper's boots, and the colonel wears M1943 type anklets. Note the methods of wearing rank badges on helmets, shirt collars, and shoulders of combat jacket.

Details of the M1941 combat dress are well revealed in this study of troops operating a field telephone.

A column of infantry and transport advancing towards St. Lo, July 1944. The soldiers are wearing M1941 combat dress, with variation of equipment components. Note that the two men on the rear offside of the jeep are wearing their entrenching tools on opposite hips, proving how illogical it is to adopt a dogmatic attitude towards what was or was not worn at any given point in time.

The first American jeep to cross the German frontier, at Roetgen, September 1944. The crew are wearing the then-newly issued M1943 combat dress.

Soldiers of the U.S. Seventh Army at Guiderkirch, March 1945. They are wearing a mixture of M1941 and M1943 combat dress (three seated). The officers on the right can be distinguished by the rank badges on the front of their helmets.

Rear view of troops in M1943 combat dress in the Meurthe Valley, November 1944. Note the variety of equipment.

Artillery crews of the Seventh Army, November 1944, wearing M1943 combat dress, without equipment.

A good example of variety in dress is provided by this jeep-load of U.S. soldiers in the Moselle area of France. The standing soldier wears his overcoat, the sergeant is in M1943 combat dress, and the man on the hood front is wearing M1941 combat dress and has a cover on his helmet.

Close-up of the M1943 combat jacket is afforded by these machine gunners at Rimlingen, January 1945. The pile liner is just visible inside the jacket of the nearest man. The gun is the Browning .30-caliber M1917A1 machine gun.

Infantry of the U.S. Seventh Army, near Raon l'Etape, November 1944. They wear M1943 combat dress, but the man third from the right is in the armored troops' zippered field jacket. The two leading men are junior officers.

Rear view of M1943 combat dress worn by infantrymen marching through Keffenach, December 1944. Note the hoods buttoned on the necks of combat jackets, but thrown back; also folded poncho on right hip of the nearest soldier.

Officer of airborne forces. Note his armament, an M1 rifle, a .45-caliber automatic pistol, and grenades, with two ammunition bandoliers.

U.S. paratroopers in a French village on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Note the airborne type equipment and variety of armament, knives, etc.

U.S. paratroopers in Normandy. Points to note are the different styles of helmet netting, the camouflaged neck cloths, national flag on the right shoulders, gloves, and high-laced boots. The left hand man wears a pistol in a shoulder holster.

Two paratroop officers, having been captured by the Germans, rejoice in style on their release by other U.S. airborne forces. Note particularly the U.S. national flag on the right shoulder, with the divisional sign on the left shoulder (obliterated by the censor). Also the high-laced boots and camouflage neck cloths.

Wearing the one-piece green twill jungle suit, this U.S. soldier is involved in action on the island of Guadalcanal. Note the dog tag identity disks on a string around his neck, and the trouser bottoms worn loose over the canvas leggings.

M1945 jungle combat dress worn by troops invading Tokashiki Island, March 1945.

An example of ponchos in use by troops on Okinawa, May 1945, listening in on their radio to the news of victory in Europe. The photo also shows very well the two-part nature of the American steel helmets, i.e., the fiber liner worn beneath the helmet proper. Note local tactical symbol of the 77th Infantry Division in white on the helmet.

In this photo of a .50-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun crew, two variants of the green twill jungle suit are depicted. The soldier wielding the pickaxe is wearing the one-piece version, while his comrade with the spade has the two-piece suit together with the new style jungle hat.

Here the one-piece green twill jungle suit is worn by soldiers clearing a Japanese bunker on Luzon Island in the Philippines, January 1945.

U.S. troops in Burma, January 1945, crossing a ponton bridge at Kazu, some 30 miles from the Irrawaddy River. They are dressed in the one-piece green twill jungle suit, and the second man in the file is wearing British-type wrap-around cloth puttees.

An anti-aircraft gun crew wearing only olive drab shorts in the heat of India, March 1944. Their weapon is a water-cooled .50-caliber machine gun.

Equipped against all the likely hazards of jungle fighting this soldier in the southwest Pacific area is wearing the poncho over the camouflaged jungle suit. The mosquito mask, and high-laced rubber and canvas boots were specialized items designed for this type of campaign.

Here the two-piece camouflaged jungle suit is being worn in France, where it was specially issued to some infantry units in the wooded areas of the Brest Peninsula, June 1944. Note the entrenching tools carried from the waist belt.

When crouched down, this U.S. sniper will become virtually invisible in his camouflaged jungle suit among the heavy vegetation of a southwest Pacific island.

The crew of this 75mm M3 gun motor carriage are wearing the 1941 twill summer combat dress with full equipment.

Infantry in the 1941 twill summer combat dress at Gafsa, Tunisia, 1943.

Crewmen in one-piece twill tank suits, carrying ammunition to their M4A3 medium tank, which is surrounded by floodwater in eastern France. Note the use of the steel helmet rather than the protective tank helmet.

The typical infantryman of 1944-45 is portrayed by this bazooka team wearing M1943 combat dress. The left hand man has the canvas leggings of 1941 type, and the other soldier wears pile-lined winter issue boots. The olive drab scar was official issue.

Men of an infantry regiment based in England in the spring of 1944 march past their regimental colors during an inspection by the divisional commanding general. They wear the olive drab service overcoat over the 1941 pattern service dress. The rifle they carry is the M1 Garand.

Original caption: "Replacements for infantry units in France make final check on equipment before moving forward to the front. France, 23 July 1944."

Original caption: "Pvt. Patrick J. McDonald (Grand Rapids, Michigan), an MP attached to the 29th Infantry Division, tries out a pair of German straw overshoes. Both the overshoes and the sentry box in the background were taken from the Nazis. France, 12 September 1944."

An American soldier takes time out to wash his feet and put on dry socks. The cold weather combined with the snow and dampness caused many cases of trench foot during this period. It was difficult when wearing the regular leather shoes to keep one's feet dry and warm, but frequent washing and changing of socks helped.

An American enlisted man puts on a new pair of shoepacs. The shoepac, which was supplied to as many of the troops as possible at this time, helped to overcome the heavy incidence of trench foot among U.S. troops fighting in cold and extremely wet climates. This shoe was rubber-bottomed with a leather top and was worn with a heavy ski sock and felt innersole.

American infantrymen wearing newly issued snow capes over their normal clothing patrol near Vossenack in early January 1945.

U.S. First Army troops, wearing snow camouflage capes, advance.

Pvt. William Hull, U.S. Army, ready for guard duty with M1 Garand rifle and bayonet, during training in the United States. William Hull was the oldest brother of Gertrude (Hull) Merriam, the mother of Ray Merriam, the owner of Merriam Press.

U.S. .45 caliber pistol holster.

U.S. web belt with clip holder and first aid holder.

U.S. first aid web pouch with U.S. Army boxed dressing.

U.S. Army first aid kit opened.

U.S. .45 caliber pistol clip pouch.

U.S. Army shoulder patch (two sizes) for Alaskan Command. Worn by Willis R. Merriam, father of Ray Merriam, the owner of Merriam Press. Willis served in the Aleutians during the war.

U.S. Army sergeant chevrons. Worn by Willis R. Merriam.

"S.F.P. OF E & GEN DEPOT" (San Francisco Port of Embarkation and General Depot) identification badge. Identification. photo of soldier was placed in rectangular opening behind clear plastic covering; on the reverse was a piece of heavy card stock with the soldier's thumb print. Worn by Willis R. Merriam, father of Ray Merriam, the owner of Merriam Press.

U.S. Army tank destroyer shoulder patch "Tiger on Wheels."

In this January 1939 photograph, four members of Company E, 34th Infantry Regiment model old and new service and field uniforms. Though the two men on the right wear some experimental garments, the photo serves to illustrate how the enlisted man's winter service uniform appeared when worn with trousers compared to breeches. It also illustrates how the trousers were to be worn in the field with the M1938 leggings. Both men on the right wear dark shade melton wool trousers and experimental caps. They are also wearing experimental dark shade convertible collar shirts. The convertible collar type of shirt would not be adopted until 1942.

Enlisted men on parade in service uniform with field cap.

This enlisted man poses during training in early 1942. He wears his winter service uniform including 20 ounce melton trousers tucked inside M1938 dismounted leggings.

A studio photo taken in Europe in 1945 shows an AAF ground personnel wearing the Class B uniform with leggings to carry out duties in the field. He wears the highneck sweater under his flannel shirt and holds a pair of leather palm wool gloves. By this time leggings were gradually being replaced by the new combat service boot with integral legging.

Reception Center, Camp Blanding, Florida, 1942. This photo illustrates the enlisted man's winter service uniform before and after it has been tailored and pressed for proper fit and presentation. On the left is a uniform right off the self and to the right is the tailored and pressed uniform ready for wear. This photo also serves to illustrate the new business suit-like appearance that the enlisted man's uniform took on after the adoption of the trousers as a standard uniform article.

Two soldiers wearing the M1938 dismounted canvas leggings over their service shoes pose for a photo during a stateside training exercise in 1943.

Luxembourg, December 1944: Members of the 180th Field Artillery Battalion, 26th Infantry Division try to keep warm during a driving snowstorm. The Soldier in foreground wears his Melton wool overcoat, while throwing wood into the fire. Note the Soldier in the background reliant upon the inadequate Olive Drab Field Jacket.

A medic checks on a German casualty. Of interest is the GI on the left who has the inside of his jacket stuffed with supplies, while the medic standing on the right is wearing his jacket inside-out.

Arctic Field Jacket. Along with the standard field jacket there came also a winter version of the jacket, known as Jacket, Field, o.d., Arctic. Made longer to cover the hips, the jacket is made with a thicker cotton shell and heavier wool lining, just like the tankers jacket. The straps at the side and wrist are of the buckle and strap type instead of the regular buttoned tabs.

Arctic Field Jacket.

These two Marines wear printed camouflage uniforms during amphibious training in Hawaii in 1944. The Marine on the left wears the US Army one-piece jungle suit with USMC camouflage helmet cover. The Marine on the right wears the USMC 1942 pattern two-piece camouflage utility uniform with helmet cover. Note the USMC stencil above his left chest pocket. He has rolled up his sleeves and cut off his trousers at the ankles to counter the fact his suit was issued oversized.

Pvt. Walter E. Prsybyla, 2nd Infantry Division, wearing an M1941 Field Jacket, addressing cards to the folks back home for Christmas 1944.

These two soldiers pose for a picture in France in 1945 wearing their M1943 field jackets. Note the soldier's jacket on the right has been tailored into the "Ike" style. This bears testament to the popularity of the new style as the practice of cutting down garments spilled over from the service coat to include other garments such as field jackets, utility jackets, and even shirts.

M1943 uniform items in use just after D-Day with 2nd Armored Division.

M1943 uniform items in use just after D-Day with 2nd Armored Division.

M1943 paratrooper uniforms.