Original Item: Only one available. Glider Infantry regiment material from WW2 is some of the hardest most collectible items on the market, due to the small number of GIR men in comparison to regular airborne soldiers.

This is a nice condition WW2 Ike jacket worn by a member of the 101st airborne who was later reassigned to the 82nd Airborne that jumped into occupied areas and took place in the legendary Operation Market Garden. This soldier, jacket is not named- saw over 6 months of combat in the European theatre.

Offered in very good condition in size 38L, wonderful condition on all patches, ribbons and material, has a rare sterling GLIDER INFANTRY REGIMENT PIN backed in blue felt with a white embroidered surround.

101st Airborne patch on left shoulder, 82nd Airborne patch on right shoulder. The Patches, ribbons, awards are as follows:

- Army Good Conduct Medal, European, African, Middle East Campaign Ribbon (2 battle stars), WWII Victory Medal, Ruptured Duck (Honorable Service/Discharge), Presidential Unit Citation, Private Chevron

- Sterling Silver Combat Infantryman Badge (CBI).

-The "Belgian Fourragère 1940"- composed of one round smooth cord, partially braided, and of TWO other cords, of which one is terminated by a knot and a brass ferret - it is made of wool and cotton for NCOs and EM, and of silk for Officers - all threads are tinted in colors resembling the ribbon of the Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 (i.e. basic red, dotted with green threads) - the Fourragère encircles the LEFT shoulder and passes under the armpit, and is fixed by 2 tiny loops onto the button of the shoulder loop

- "Order of the Orange" shoulder cord awarded by the Dutch government for surviving Operation Market Garden.

- One overseas combat service bars (on left sleeve cuff) meaning 6+ months of combat service

82nd Airborne Division in Operation Market Garden:

On 2 August 1944 the division became part of the First Allied Airborne Army. In September, the 82nd began planning for Operation Market Garden in the Netherlands. The operation called for three-plus airborne divisions to seize and hold key bridges and roads deep behind German lines. The 504th, now back at full strength, was reassigned to the 82nd, while the 507th was assigned to the 17th Airborne. On 17 September, the 82nd conducted its fourth World War II combat assault. Fighting off German counterattacks, the 82nd captured its objectives between Grave, and Nijmegen. In the afternoon of Wednesday 20 September 1944 the 82nd Airborne conducted a successful assault on the river crossing of the Waal river, capturing the north end of the Nijmegen road bridge. War correspondent Bill Downs, who witnessed the assault, described it as "a single, isolated battle that ranks in magnificence and courage with Guam, Tarawa, Omaha Beach. A story that should be told to the blowing of bugles and the beating of drums for the men whose bravery made the capture of this crossing over the Waal possible."

British XXX corps land forces failed to follow up the 82nd's success by advancing across the bridge toward Arnhem, leading to some friction between 82nd's Captain Burriss, Major Cook, Colonel Tucker and General Gavin and the British Grenadier Guards in their Sherman tanks. So the success of 82nd's Nijmegen drop was short-lived, because of other Allied units at the Battle of Arnhem. After a period of duty on the Arnhem front, the 82nd was relieved by Canadian troops, and sent to France.