Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Uniform, Military |
Catalog Number |
1987.046.05 |
Description |
Eisenhower jacket (card says it was used during the Korean War), olive drab serge wool, two front pockets with flaps, two shoulder flaps that button, 6 buttons down the front, metal snap button that closes the waistband of the jacket, straps on the hips of the jacket to adjust the size. There are 2 patches on the left arm: one has two upturned green chevrons lined with blue, and the other is a triangle with three sections of red, blue, and yellow, and on top is a picture of the number "1" and a tank wheel with a cannon and a red lightning bolt over it. There is one patch on the right arm of two upturned green chevrons lined with blue. The cuff of each sleeve has two buttons. All buttons on the jacket are brown plastic. The inside of the jacket has a small tag at the neck which reads "40R", and there are two inside pockets. The inside lining also has the numbers "T-7723" stamped on it multiple times. The collar of the jacket also has two gold colored metal pins: the one on the left has a picture of an eagle on top of a wheel with two swords crossed over it, the one on the right has the letters "US." |
Provenance |
Howard Thiel graduated from Central High School and served in the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas. After his service he returned to La Crosse and was employed by Seemann Lumber Co., managing lumberyards in Sparta and La Crosse. The armpatch with a canon, red lightning bolt, and tank wheel is from the 1st Armored Division, once nicknamed the Old Ironsides. The yellow on the patch stands for cavalry, the blue stands for infantry, and the red stands for field artillery. The patches with the two green chevrons indicate the wearer achieved the rank of corporal. The pin with an eagle on top of a wheel with crossed swords is a U.S. Army Quartermaster pin. |
Date |
c. 1950 |
Event |
Korean War |
Dimension Details |
The jacket is size 40 regular. |
People |
Thiel, Howard |
Subjects |
"Things that Matter" Military Clothing & Accessories |
Search Terms |
Korean War "Things that Matter" Uniform |
Relation |
Show Related Records... |
Notes |
Featured in Things that Matter "There is no better way to remember the "Forgotten War" than by putting a face and a name to one of the many individuals who offered their service to their country during the Korean War. This Eisenhower jacket from the Korean War era once belonged to Howard Thiel. Although Thiel never served overseas during the war, he was stationed with the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas for two years from 1951-1953. From one of the patches on his jacket, we can tell that Howard Thiel belonged to the 1st Armored Division. This division, nicknamed the "Old Ironsides", was one of the first divisions in the Army to integrate black soldiers throughout its ranks. After nuclear warfare became a major concern in the 1950s, the 1st Armored Division was one of the first to participate in tests of the "Atomic Field Army" at Fort Hood. Thiel married his wife, Rose Marie Seemann, in December, 1950, shortly after the war broke out. Their first daughter, Barbara, was born at the Fort Hood, Texas Army Hospital during Thiel’s time in service. When he returned to La Crosse with his family in 1954, Thiel started work at his father in law’s company, Seemann Lumber Co., managing lumberyards in Sparta and La Crosse. Thiel continued to serve his community in many ways outside the military. He was a member and, at one time, president of the Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) in Sparta, receiving one of their highest honors, the distinguished service award, for answering over 50 fire alarms as a volunteer of Ervin Edwards’ Rural Fire Fighting Company. He was also a member of the Boy Scouts of America for over 14 years, receiving one of their highest honors shortly after his service in the military: the God and Country Award. While Howard Thiel survived the war and lived a fulfilling life with his family and community, we cannot forget the more than 70 individuals from the La Crosse area who were not so fortunate. In remembering Howard Thiel, let us remember that he was able to live the life he did because of those who gave their lives in Korea. This article was originally published in the La Crosse Tribune. Title: Korean War Eisenhower Jacket Author: Sophie Olson Publish Date: July 30, 2016 |