A Real G-8 from WW II

[oneterrifichog]

Ok I know that the G-8 never existed a figment of some overzealous jacket makers in the 80's or some time in the past is what I have read until tonight when looking up one General Truscott of WWII and guess what the General is wearing. Hmmmm could be a G-8.

 

[Fanch]

Wilbur, I believe that you are correct. I see no knits at all, and one of the pictures illustrates button cuffs. I wonder where it was made and by whom?

 

[jack miranda]

So, what did you learn about General Truscott? He looks like a crusty old so-and-so. In the first pic, he appears to be inspecting Black troops; that's enough to pique some interest. When? Where? Why? And, so on. Thanks.

 

[pauleway]

I have a G-8 and it has no Bi-Swing back. If I'm seeing correctly, the jacket the General is wearing does have a Bi-Swing back!

 

[oneterrifichog]

So, what did you learn about General Truscott? He looks like a crusty old so-and-so. In the first pic, he appears to be inspecting Black troops; that's enough to pique some interest. When? Where? Why? And, so on. Thanks.

Actually I was reading a NY Times article by his grandson Lucian K. Truscott IV a former writer with the Village Voice and freelancer with the NY Times. He mentioned his grandfather Lucian K. Truscott Jr. and I found this along with several photos of him wearing the same Leather jacket check out the comments about his jacket.

Truscott was born in Chatfield, Texas, and joined the Army in 1917. After officer training, he was commissioned a second lieutenant of cavalry and served in various cavalry and staff assignments between the World Wars.

In 1942, then-Colonel Truscott was instrumental in developing an American commando unit patterned after the British Commando units. The American unit was activated by newly promoted Brigadier General Truscott on June 19, 1942 as the 1st Ranger Battalion, and placed under the command of William Orlando Darby.

Truscott took command of the 3rd Infantry Division in April 1943, and oversaw preparations for the invasion of Sicily. He was known as a very tough trainer, bringing the 3rd Infantry Division up to a very high standard. He led the division in the assault on Sicily in July 1943. Here his training paid off when the Division covered great distances in the mountainous terrain at high speed. The famous "Truscott trot" was a marching pace of four miles per hour, much faster than the usual standard of 2.5 miles per hour. The 3rd Infantry Division was considered by many the best-trained, best-led division in the Seventh Army. In mid-September 1943, nine days after the initial Allied landings, he led the division ashore at Salerno on the Italian mainland, where it fought its way up the peninsula.

In January 1944, the division assaulted Anzio as part of the US VI Corps. Allied forces soon became mired on the beachhead, and Truscott was given command of VI Corps, replacing the initial commander, Lieutenant General John P. Lucas, who had proved to be indecisive during the battle. Truscott was succeeded in command of 3rd Infantry Division by Major General John "Iron Mike" O'Daniel.

Following Anzio, Truscott continued to command VI Corps through the fight up Italy. His command was then withdrawn from the line to prepare for Operation Dragoon, the amphibious assault on southern France. The Corps landed on 15 August 1944 and faced relatively little opposition. In October 1944, Truscott took command of the newly formed U.S. Fifteenth Army.

Truscott's next command came in December 1944. He was promoted to command of the U.S. Fifth Army in Italy when its commander Lieutenant General Mark Clark was made commander of 15th Army Group. Truscott led the Army through the hard winter of 1944–1945, where many of its formations were in exposed positions in the mountains of Italy. He then lead US forces through the final destruction of the German Army in Italy.

Truscott had a very gravelly voice, said to be the result of an accidental ingenstion of acid in childhood. He was superstitious about his clothing, and usually wore a leather jacket, "pink" (light khaki) pants and lucky boots in combat. He also wore a white scarf as a trademark, first during the Sicilian campaign.

Truscott once said to his son, "Let me tell you something, and don't ever forget it. You play games to win, not lose. And you fight wars to win. That's spelled W-I-N !And every good player in a game and every good commander in a war...has to have some son of a bitch in him. If he doesn't, he isn't a good player or commander....It's as simple as that. No son of a bitch, no commander."

Truscott took over command of the U.S. Third Army from General George S. Patton on October 8, 1945, and led it until April 1946. This command included the Eastern Military District of the U.S. occupation zone of Germany, which consisted primarily of the state of Bavaria. When the U.S. Seventh Army was deactivated in March 1946, Truscott's Third Army took over the Western Military District (the U.S.-occupied parts of Baden, Württemberg and Hesse-Darmstadt).

Will Lang Jr. from Life (magazine) wrote a biography on Truscott that appeared in the October 2, 1944 issue of LIFE.

In 1954 Truscott was promoted to the rank of General by special act of Congress (Public Law 83-508, July 19, 1954).

General Truscott received the Army's second-highest decoration, the Distinguished Service Cross, for valor in action in Sicily on July 11, 1943, the second day of the invasion. General Truscott's other decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Purple Heart.

After retirement, Lucian K. Truscott Jr was an author. General Truscott wrote "Command Missions" (1954 - ISBN 0-89141-364-2) and "The Twilight of the U.S. Cavalry" (ISBN 0-7006-0932-6)

General Truscott died September 12, 1965, in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

[oneterrifichog]

I have a G-8 and it has no Bi-Swing back. If I'm seeing correctly, the jacket the General is wearing does have a Bi-Swing back!

Yep noticed that but hey what the hell it's close.

 

[Dinerman]

Yep, a pretty standard civilian jacket.

 

[oneterrifichog]

Yep, a pretty standard civilian jacket.

I think that American Military wear did allow for choice through the end of WWII and after that it became more "uniform" in appearance. I am pretty sure General rank allowed for tailoring of certain wear such as jackets etc. I know for example even the more mundane shirts and pants allowed not only for tailoring but even "Custom" wear for Officer Corp during WWII as my Grandfather ran a very successful business in Atlanta through the entire conflict in custom dress uniforms particularly with the "Pinks".

I imagine this jacket was of the General's own custom tailoring.

 

[lewisskimonster]

I guess that if your a General, then you can wear whatever you want, whether it be Government issue or whatever?

 

[jack miranda]

Thanks, oneterriffic. Good summation. I like his words of advice to his son about being an effective commander. He led troops in some pretty rough spots, and did well, apparently. I also like the bit about always wearing a leather jacket; another endearing quality to the man. Again, thanks.

 

[pauleway]

Yep noticed that but hey what the hell it's close.

Very close. I think it's kind of an A-2, G-1 combo!

 

[Wconly]

Very close. I think it's kind of an A-2, G-1 combo!

That is exactly how I see it too! Note: His pockets are snap downs and not button downs like the G-1 or the (whatever it really is,) G-8. It also doesn't appear to have pull straps, unless I am just not seeing them from the photos. W>