Operation Beleaguer 1st Marine Division, First Sergeant’s Vest w/ Artwork – SOLD

Description

Operation Beleaguer was a major U.S. military operation, largely involving the Marines, in the repatriation of 600,000 Japanese and Korean people that remained in China after WWII.

Not sure if this is an issued vest or if it is a vest made from a re-purposed liner.  It is lined with a wool Sherpa-type material.

The front of the vest has his stamped rank on the right breast, and above it are “ENC”- hand-drawn block lettering in pen, “Hershey” is also blocked in on the left breast.

The back of the vest has several elements; Eagle, Globe and Anchor, “USMC” surrounding his 1st Marine Division ‘patch,’ and the flags of all of the allied countries (America, China, Britain, Russia).  There is also “TEIN TSIN” & “CHINA,” the date 1945, and three different areas with hand-written lists of places in the “States,” “Overseas,” and “China.”  Some of these are difficult to make out as they have faded some.

In very good condition; the color used remains bright and clear.  Some fading to the smaller words along the sides on the back. There is some blemishing and staining.

There is no size label, but arm pit to arm pit measures 20″,