This listing is for a historically significant WWII / post-WWII U.S. Army officer grouping, preserved together as found. The centerpiece is an original oil portrait painted in Vienna, Austria, 1946, during the American occupation period.

Included in This Lot

• Original oil-on-canvas portrait of a U.S. Army Infantry officer

• Period gilt wood frame (appears original to the painting)

• Folded U.S. burial/service flag in a wooden display case

• U.S. Army officer dog tag (named)

• Period binoculars (included as-found with the grouping)

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Portrait Details

• Medium: Oil on canvas

• Signed: “William Unger – Vienna 1946” (signature visible on canvas)

• Subject: U.S. Army Second Lieutenant, Infantry

• Insignia:

• Crossed rifles (Infantry branch)

• Single gold bar (2nd Lieutenant)

• U.S. Forces Austria (USFA) shoulder patch

• Ribbon Bar (painted):

• American Campaign Medal

• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

• World War II Victory Medal

• Army of Occupation Medal

This uniform configuration is consistent with a junior officer who served late WWII and remained in Austria during the occupation period.

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Dog Tag Details

• Name: PARSONS, ARTHUR L.

• Service Number: O-1339387 (Officer designation)

• Blood Type: O

• Religion: Baptist

• T55: Indicates tetanus inoculation notation (postwar service era)

The dog tag is included exactly as found and is believed to correspond to the officer depicted.

If any family member of Arthur L. Parsons recognizes this grouping, please feel free to contact me.

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Historical Context

After WWII, American forces occupied Austria from 1945–1955. It was common for U.S. officers stationed in Vienna to commission local artists to paint formal portraits during this period. This painting is a strong example of that practice.

Please note: The artist William Unger referenced here is not the 19th-century etcher of the same name (who died in 1938), but rather a local Viennese artist active during the postwar occupation years.

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Condition

• Painting shows age-appropriate wear, including surface cracking and minor paint loss consistent with mid-20th-century oil works

• Frame shows scuffs and patina

• Flag is folded and framed; no unfolding performed

• Dog tag and binoculars show normal period wear

No restoration has been attempted.

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Important Note

This grouping is offered as a single lot to preserve its historical integrity. Items will not be separated.

Shipping includes professional packing, with extra precautions of the portrait, and full insurance.