AAF TANK MUSEUM Militaria Uniforms |
1952 Period, US Army, 1938 Pattern, Blue Dress Uniform For Officer's
Of The Regular Army, belonging to a Artillery, Brigadier General (i.e.: a 1 Star General), named: "Howard E. "Kess" Kessinger",
the Artillery Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps.
Uniform Details
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This uniform is known to be of the 1952 period as attested to in writing by General Kessinger himself on his own personal
letterhead (included with this grouping). This uniform is a US Army, 1938 Pattern, Blue Dress Uniform For Officer's Of The
Regular Army. As stated above it belonged to a Artillery, Brigadier General, named: "Howard E. "Kess" Kessinger". One of
the most notable points in his Army career was that his command was the very 1st tactical unit to fire off the 762mm "Honest John"
Rocket (the museum has a Honest John rocket on display!). But perhaps for those collectors out there, Kessinger is best
known as the Artillery Commanding General of the very famous XVIII Airborne Corps. in 1953.
The inside of this uniform is fully lined and in MINT condition. Inside the inside pocket is a standard "United Garment
Workers" type label. Sewn on the outside of the inside pocket is a bevo-like custom tailor's tag with: "Jos. A. Wilner & Co.,
Custom Tailors, Washington, D.C." embroidered on. The outside of the uniform rates a low MINT condition (as only the
gold General's wide sleeve braid and epaulettes show tarnishing from age - and it's a wonderful patina too). The sleeve
braid is of the high quality gold type, not the cheap celon, but as stated above, it is wonderfully age toned. The 2 General's
epaulettes are both matching, are both sewn down (that is very rare as they were intended to be removable for laundering
of the coat), and have a very rich black velvet base and age toned stars. They are truly magnificent indeed! The buttons
are the deluxe 2 piece eagle types, are matching, and back marked. They are sewn on with the correct style thread.
There are 2 "US" pins on the upper collar lapels and they are matching, un-hallarked, and have the deluxe type, early WWII
style clutches. There are matching, hallmarked, snow flake style, thick cannon barrel type, Artillery crossed cannon insignia
pinned on each lower collar lapel. They have matching WWII style "smoothie" clutches.
There is a beautiful, early style Army Staff Identification Badge which is hallmarked, pinned on his right breast. Pinned on
his left breast is a typical quality, hallmarked, semi-hollow back style, Basic Parachutist Badge (remember he was "Airborne").
There is a 12 award ribbon bar which has all custom, matching ribbons. They are sewn on to matching blue uniform cloth
which itself is sewn on the uniform. It is a beautiful piece. His awards are for the following: the "Legion of Merit Medal" with
2 oak leaf clusters, the "Bronze Star Medal", the "American Defense Service Medal" with 1 bronze star, the "American
Campaign Medal", the "European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Medal", the "WWII Victory Medal" (a real beauty
here), the "Army of Occupation Medal", the British "Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Degree of Officer",
the Belgian "Order of Leopold, Degree of Officer", the Netherlands "Order of Orange Nassau, Degree of Knight - Commander
with Swords", the French "Croix de Guerre" with palm, and the Belgian "Croix de Guerre" with palm.
This uniform grouping includes his matching trousers that have fairly bright dual gold bullion stripes. Also included is his
original blue, Field Grade Officer's, Cap, Service, Wool Fur Felt. This is the spectacular type with gold
bullion leaves on the velvet visor AND gold bullion leaves on the velevet cap band. This cap is a very early "Bancroft"
specimen, and it is as excellent as it is beautiful. To help complete this uniform the museum has added a modern-ish black tie
and a white shirt. This grouping includes even more items that all once belonged to Kessinger. Included are 2 beautiful early
style, heavy gold bullion aiguillettes. There is a framed (old frame) photo of "Kess" standing in front of a Honest John Rocket
(it's a really neat picture). The caption on the rear of the photo dates it at 1954 and notates it to his XVIII Airborne Corps. Artillery
unit. The photo also states (hold on to your britches folks): "First Honest John fired by a tatical unit in the US Army" (WOW! -
this is as good as it ever gets folks!). Included next is his letter head letter hand signed by himself stating that he is donating
this uniform (dated 1980). There is a 2nd letter head letter hand signed by himself stating that he wore this uniform at the
funeral services for King George VI in London when he was the Military Escort at Windsor Castle. The last item(s) included
is a biographical folder of 8 pages of military bio. information.
Comments from the Curator:
Buy it Now - $5500.00
3401 U.S. Hwy 29B
Danville, VA 24540
434-836-5323 Fax: 434-836-3532
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