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Vintage U.S. Army
male officer dress white coat and pants/trousers, 1950s-1960s
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DESCRIPTION –
This
dress white military uniform was worn by Captain Curtis W. Freeman, Jr., U.S.
Army, who was awarded the Silver Star medal for his actions during the Korean
War (1951) while serving with the 25th Infantry Division. Freeman also served
in World War II. He retired from the Army in 1967 with the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. He passed away in 2000.
Items
listed here are from the estate of Col. Freeman. They have been in my
collection for 20 years.
Unfortunately,
these uniform pieces were not properly cared for by the original owner. They
exhibit stains and discoloration. These were quality items when new and
deserved better treatment.
Recently
the garments were washed with stain remover and laundry detergent and most of
the stains were removed, but some remained. The garments were not dried in a dryer
(that would “set” the stains) so the remaining stains might be removed by additional
cleaning. Dry cleaning may work as well.
Overall,
the pieces look much better now, but many stains remain. Not all stains are
shown in the photos.
COAT,
DRESS, WHITE -
The
male officer’s white dress coat is made of cotton. The interior is not lined.
Regulation
officer’s sleeve trim of white lacing appear on each lower sleeve. Holes are
present where Col. Freeman’s many rows of ribbon bars (“fruit salad”) were
pinned above the left chest pocket.
There
are no interior pockets.
Two
exterior chest pockets and 2 lower internally-hung pockets are fastened with
buttons and snaps (at each corner).
Removable
high-relief-style gilt metal buttons are included. The 4 large front closure
buttons are all marked SUPERIOR QUALITY,
the 6 smaller buttons (4 pocket flap, 2 shoulder loop) are all marked WATERBURY BUTTON CO..
A
label sewn in the coat reads
C.D. WILLIAMS & CO. / PHILADELPHIS 40 (assumed size 40).
C.D.
Williams was a well-known producer of nurse and hospital apparel during World War
II. The company obviously also produced military uniforms.
Measurements
(coat buttoned, laid flat)–
15
1/2 inches – across back at shoulders, seam-to-seam
20
inches – armpit-to-armpit
29
inches – sleeve length (measured from center of back to end of sleeve)
17
1/2 inches - waist
32
inches – length (top of collar to bottom of coat)
I
wear a size 40 regular / Medium coat. I
was unable to button the coat and the sleeves are too short on me. The coat may
have shrunk.
PANTS/TROUSERS,
DRESS, WHITE -
The
plain white cotton pants feature a button fly with 5 white plastic buttons, 2
front and 2 rear pockets (1 rear pocket with button), and a watch pocket.
A
label sewn in the pants reads
C.D. WILLIAMS & CO. / PHILADELPHIS 33 (assumed waist size 33).
Measurements
–
33
inches – waist (measured around inside of pants)
28
inches – inseam
40
inches – bottom of leg cuff to top of waistband
Many
stains have been removed from the pants by cleaning but many remain. Not all
stains were treated with stain remover so additional cleaning may remove them.
There is a small hole in the fabric near the right pocket opening.
The
pants are completely intact, without rips, tears, or large holes.
In
July 1936 the U.S. Army adopted a white lapel coat to replace the previous
standing-collar coat. Until 1940, Regular Army officers serving in the tropics
were required to have a white dress uniform.
During
WWII the wearing of the white (and blue) dress uniform in the continental U.S.
and Alaska was not required, but could be worn off-duty, after retreat, or at
the discrection of the local commander.
The
Army dress white/tropical service uniform was phased out in 2014.
After
WWII, the U.S. Air Force introduced the Tropical Dress (White) uniform in 1955.
The Army dress white uniform, with appropriate USAF insignia, was authorized
for wear by Air Force officers until July 1959. The uniform for sale here requires
only a change of buttons to meet that requirement.
The
white shir and black tie shown in the photos are for display only and are NOT
included with the coat and pants.
This uniform is from my personal collection, not an “estate
sale”. Always stored indoors. NO unpleasant odors.
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This item is located in the United States.
All
measurements are approximate.
Please
carefully review the photographs included with this listing and ask appropriate
questions if necessary.
The
watermark (©nasa21) is on the photos ONLY, not
on the item(s).
All
items are subject to prior sale, unless a bid is placed.
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*** SALES / VAT / GOODS / CUSTOMS / IMPORT taxes and fees are
the responsibility of the buyer.
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This item is sold as-is, with no warranty
expressed or implied.
veteran infantry corps formal dinner mess
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