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Army Uniform
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History & Notes: This WWII uniform was worn by Merle S. Power. Merle lived in Boise and attended Boise High School, graduating in 1933. As an athlete he played on the football, basketball, and track teams and was also a member of the "B" Club, Boise Hi-Y, and R.O.T.C. While his classmates had goals of being nurses, file clerks, or librarians, Merle joked that he wanted to be a "Gigolo" in his high school yearbook. In 1933 he attended Boise Junior College where he played football in 1933 and 1934. After graduating from BJC he attended Washington State College and worked for Weyerhauser Lumber Company. Merle served in Europe during WWII. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry Battalion of the 5th Armored Division. He fought in Europe and on December 11, 1944 was killed in action in Germany. Merle was awarded a Silver Star for Conspicuous Gallantry in Action and a Purple Heart. He is buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands.
Description: Military dress uniform consisting of a garrison cap, Eisenhower jacket and belt, dress trousers (also known as "pinks"), and khaki shirt. Hat is of olive drab and is bound in black piping. Front left features a brass bar pin affixed to the fabric. Jacket is of olive drab and features front closure with ornate brass buttons. Above the front left breast pocket is a service ribbon signifying Merle's award of the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Lapels are marked with brass pins depicting crossed rifles and above these, brass "U.S." pins. Shoulders are studded with a brass button close to the collar and a bar pin at the edge of the shoulder seam. Jacket is cinched with a belt of the same fabric and closed with a brass buckle. The distinctive red, yellow, and blue triangular patch of the 5th Armored Division adorns the upper left sleeve. The khaki shirt features the same 5th Armored Division patch on its left sleeve. Grey "pinks," or dress slacks complete the ensemble.
Object Number: 1963.185.0004.ens
Object: suit --uniform, military
Category: Military Uniforms
Circa: 1940
Materials: textile, metal
Description: Military dress uniform consisting of a garrison cap, Eisenhower jacket and belt, dress trousers (also known as "pinks"), and khaki shirt. Hat is of olive drab and is bound in black piping. Front left features a brass bar pin affixed to the fabric. Jacket is of olive drab and features front closure with ornate brass buttons. Above the front left breast pocket is a service ribbon signifying Merle's award of the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. Lapels are marked with brass pins depicting crossed rifles and above these, brass "U.S." pins. Shoulders are studded with a brass button close to the collar and a bar pin at the edge of the shoulder seam. Jacket is cinched with a belt of the same fabric and closed with a brass buckle. The distinctive red, yellow, and blue triangular patch of the 5th Armored Division adorns the upper left sleeve. The khaki shirt features the same 5th Armored Division patch on its left sleeve. Grey "pinks," or dress slacks complete the ensemble.
Object Number: 1963.185.0004.ens
Object: suit --uniform, military
Category: Military Uniforms
Circa: 1940
Materials: textile, metal
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