17th Airborne Division

UNIFORMS

M42 Parachute Jumper Coat and Trousers:

This uniform was introduced in 1942, had four bellow style pockets on the front of the coat and these were secured by two metal snaps.  The trousers had two large cargo pockets similar to the ones on the coat located one on each outer thigh.  Reinforcing patches were added by unit Riggers to the elbows, knees, lower pocket's bellows and pockets on the trousers.  Not all uniforms were modified this way, but most field suits were.  This uniform was made in khaki shade #3 color.  This uniform was worn by Parachute Regiments only.

M43 Field Jacket and Trousers:

The M42 uniform was replaced by the M43 series of uniforms.  It was decided that Airborne units would lose their "special" looking uniforms and wear the standard Army uniform that the rest of the U.S. Army was fielding at that time.  The only difference of the 'universal' uniform, was the addition of two heavy-duty canvas cargo pockets to the outer thighs of the trousers.  The color was in the new olive drab #7 and all closures were fastened by large plastic buttons.  This uniform was worn by both Parachute and Glider Regiments.

Jump Boots:

These boots were high laced in russet shade of brown and had a toe cap for added protection.  These boots were authorized for wear in late 1942 and were later to be replaced by the double buckle boot.  However, most paratroopers kept their jump boots and wore them when possible.

Service Combat Boot:

These boots were authorized in late 1943 to be an all-around boot, replacing the paratrooper jump boot and the service shoe and leggings worn by all other soldiers.  It had an upper cuff that was lined with canvas and 2 metal buckles that allowed the top to be tightened. 

Garrison Cap: 

This cap was worn with the normal uniform and would be worn when not in the field.  The enlisted men's cap would have their Arm of Service piping color (light blue for infantry, red for artillery, etc.) and officers had gold/black on theirs.  The cap was made in olive drab serge for the winter uniform and tan cotton for the summer uniform.  There was a non-regulation cap patch that was worn on the left side by enlisted and on the right by officers (rank worn on the left) that was a blue circle bordered with white and a parachute in the middle.  This was replaced by the regulation patch in 1943 consisting of a glider and parachute inside a red circle.  (see below)

More to come....