Original Item: Only one available. WWII 82nd Airborne material is some of the hardest and most sought after most collectible items on the market. This excellent condition WW2 Class A Uniform jacket was worn by Private John W. Wachel (ASN:32046757), who was Wounded in Action during Operation Market Garden.

John Wachel enlisted on April 16, 1941 out of Albany in New York State and after basic training, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. The 82nd Division was redesignated on 13 February 1942 during World War II, just two months after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the German declaration of war, as Division Headquarters, 82nd Division. It was ordered into active service on 25 March 1942, and reorganized at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under the command of Major General Omar Bradley. On 15 August 1942, the 82nd Infantry Division, now commanded by Major General Ridgway, became the first airborne division in the history of the U.S. Army, and was redesignated as the 82nd Airborne Division. The 82nd was selected after deliberations by the U.S. Army General Staff because of a number of factors; it was not a Regular Army or National Guard unit ("many traditionalists in those components wanted nothing to do with such an experimental force"), its personnel had all completed basic training, and it was stationed in an area that had good weather and flying facilities. The division initially consisted of the 325th, 326th and 327th Infantry Regiments, and supporting units. The 327th was soon transferred to help form the 101st Airborne Division and was replaced by the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, leaving the division with two regiments of glider infantry and one of parachute infantry. In February 1943 the division received another change when the 326th was transferred to the 13th Airborne Division, being replaced by the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, under James M. Gavin, then a colonel, who was later to command the division.

Now we believe that Wachel would have fought in SIcily, Italy and the Normandy landings, but unfortunately we do not have complete access to his service record information, and unfortunately cannot confirm these assumptions. Now we do know that he was apart of Operation Market Garden in September of 1944, which was the Division’s fourth and final combat jump. Some time during the operation between Grave and Nijmegen, Private Wachel sustained blast injuries accompanied by shrapnel, and was permanently taken out of the fight. He was admitted to a hospital in October of 1944 and was soon discharged in December 1944, unable to return back to combat.

The uniform coat is offered in every good original condition in size 39R. 82nd Airborne Shoulder Sleeve Insignia on left shoulder, and 1st Allied Airborne Insignia on the right. Both insignias are still stitched on the coat with wonderful period stitching. Collar insignia are of the later pin-back variety. Ribbons (awards) are as follows:

- Purple Heart
- European, African, Middle East Campaign Ribbon (2 Battle Stars)
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Campaign
- Presidential Unit Citation

Also present on the uniform is a lovely set of “Jump Wings” and a Combat Infantry Badge, which unfortunately has 2 of the 3 prongs on the back missing. The inside back lining, just beneath the size stamp, has Wachels name with ASN written boldly in black as:

WACHEL JOHN W
32046757

This is a wonderful example of an 82nd Airborne Class A jacket from WWII! Comes more than ready for further research and display.

Approx. Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to sleeve: 17”
Shoulder to shoulder: 23.5”
Chest width: 19.5”
Waist width: 17”
Hip width: 20”
Front length: 31.5"

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.