Item Description
Original Group. One-of-a-Kind. This is the gorgeous uniform grouping of Technician 5th Grade Harry George Volkhart, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. The group includes Volkhart’s uniform jacket, shirt (with insignia), and trousers. The jacket is named VOLKHART under the collar, and our expert researcher was able to identify the set. According to a newspaper article in 2001, during D-Day, Volkhart was assigned to secure bridges and crossroads behind enemy lines, disrupt German communications and prevent enemy reinforcements from reaching the beachhead. “Harry was a courageous leader on the battlefield, and he was wounded in combat, for which he received the Purple Heart”, says fellow veteran John G. Brosky.
The uniform is in fair condition with some moth damage as shown. The jacket bears a gorgeous British-made 82nd Airborne patch on the left shoulder and a 1st Allied Airborne patch on the right shoulder. He has Technician 5th Grade chevrons on both sleeves, with three overseas stripes on his left cuff. He has US Collar insignia but is missing his Infantry disc. Above the left breast pocket is a British Made oval of blue felt with a white embroidered surround, with a likely Sterling set of Paratrooper wings on top. We are unsure if he applied these wings himself or if they were added later. This oval denotes the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment. Above the right breast pocket is his “Ruptured Duck” Honorable Discharge patch. The jacket is marked Size 36R.
Volkhart’s shirt is marked size 14½ 32, and has US and Infantry collar insignia, as well as his 82nd & 1st Allied Airborne patches and Technician 5th Grade chevrons. Volkhart’s trousers are in good shape with some worn markings inside. A great set.
Harry G. Volkhart was born on September 13th, 1922 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Army on December 29th, 1943 at Fort Meade, Maryland. He spent several months training and entered Paratrooper/Glider school, being assigned to the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to Technician 5th Grade and went overseas with the 82nd Airborne Division, being wounded in combat according to the aforementioned newspaper article. Volkhart returned stateside and served as a court aide in the Pittsburgh Superior Court until he died of cancer on January 24th, 1981 at the age of 58.
This is a phenomenal grouping that requires further research! Comes ready for further research and display!
Approximate Measurements:-
Jacket: 36R
Shirt:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 22.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 15.5"
Chest width: 19.5”
Waist: 19.5"
Hip width: 18"
Front length: 34"
Pants:
Waist: 16"
Inseam: 29"
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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