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WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit
WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit

WW2 Army USMC Named Guadalcanal 182nd Inf Americal Div Uniform Discharge Obit

$ 38.01

Availability: 100 in stock
  • Restocking Fee: No
  • All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
  • Condition: Used
  • Item must be returned within: 14 Days
  • Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
  • Refund will be given as: Money Back

    Description

    Rare WWII Guadalcanal uniform that belonged to Sergeant John O. Groppi. Sergeant Groppi saw combat with the 182
    nd
    Infantry/23
    rd
    Division on Guadalcanal during WWII.
    This group includes the following:
    - Named 4-pocket coat with all original insignia including the famous USMC Guadalcanal patch on his lower right sleeve.
    - Copy of his discharge showing all his campaigns and awards including being WIA in the Northern Solomons on 21 March 1944.
    - Copy of his obituary mentioning his combat at Guadalcanal and the Southern Philippines.
    The 182
    nd
    Infantry Regiment went into action on Guadalcanal on 12 November 1942 alongside the 1
    st
    Marine Division to conduct an offensive against the enemy. The First Marine Division’s commander, Major General Vandergrift was so impressed with the actions of the 182nd on Guadalcanal he issued a unit commendation to the unit for having demonstrated “An overwhelming superiority over the ememy”. He authorized the U.S. Marine Corps Guadalcanal patch to be worn on the lower right sleeve by Army personnel who participated in the battle.
    As part of a piecemeal transfer of the Americal Division, the 182d was deployed to combat in the
    Battle of Guadalcanal
    on 12 November 1942, where the regiment's 3rd Battalion participated in an operation to capture the Japanese defensive works atop the
    Sea Horse
    , a prominent terrain feature on the island. Maintaining contact with elements of other U.S. Army regiments in the assault, the 3rd Battalion began its ascent, and by 30 December was in action against Japanese forces atop the Sea Horse. The fighting was so intense that some of the Americans could not be removed after being killed, and were buried where they fell. In 2008, the remains of Lt. Raymond S. Woods of the 182nd Infantry Regiment, who was killed in action on 30 December 1942 in fighting atop the Sea Horse Ridge, were located and transferred to
    JPAC
    .
    [7]
    The 182d later fought in the
    Bougainville campaign
    , the
    Northern Solomons
    , and later in the
    Battle of Leyte
    .
    This is definitely an historic and rare uniform worn by a soldier who saw combat with the Marines on Guadalcanal.
    This uniform is in good displayable condition with only two very small [pin hole size] moth nips on the lower left pocket flap. This coat was reissued by the Quartermaster Corps and has two other laundry marks in the lining. This was a very common practice by the Army in WWII. His name is inked inside the lower right lining of his coat [see picture].
    My starting bid is low with no reserve. Please do not ask me to end my auctions early so I can provide everyone with an opportunity to bid.
    Check out my other auctions for more original WWII military collectables.