Questions About the United States Navy Peacoat

[AbbaDatDeHat]

I call these tags Inspector tags as the name of the inspector signing off on the garment is at the bottom. During WWII most were inspected by J. O.* They are made of what feels like heavy paper, and are the first thing to deteriorate on the coat. It is handy to have the size in that location as the supply clerks can easily find the size they are looking for.

In boot camp, they first measure the recruit, determine the size he needs, and then pick out the proper size peacoat. Simple to find the size by just looking at the tag in plain view and not have to open the coat to find the tag on the inside breast pocket.
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* If I were a true researcher, I would have researched J. O.'s back story and presented it as an addendum. Alas, I will leave that for another researcher in another time.

Hey @Peacoat how are you?
I have a followup question.
Did the Navy or Army, Air Force for that matter, measure recruits in boot camp and tailor their coats, uniforms to fit?? Or was that just a Marine thing?
I always wondered.
Bowen

 

[Peacoat]

Good question. I just don't remember for my uniforms in basic, but I know they weren't tailored. I think we were quickly measured and then the supply clerk grabbed the uniform parts and put them in the growing pile we carried to the next station. What we had is what we got.

It seems that when we were getting close to graduation from flight school, reps from the contract uniform supplier came in and measured us for custom uniforms. Those were the greens and the dress blues. Back then the dress blues were used for formal occasions. It was the same as black tie in the civilian world.

I wore my dress blues on several occasions. I remember wearing my greens twice: once when I was presented a medal by the Colonel and once, maybe twice, when I was Aerodrome Officer of the Day at Hunter Army Airfield. A fancy title for Officer of the Day. And not nearly as much fun as being Officer of the Day at the airfield (Holloway) in Vietnam. Mostly it was boring, but when we got hit, it came alive and was lots of fun.

All of my combat had been in the air; so being on the ground during an attack was a different animal. By that time I had become an adrenaline junkie, and being on the ground as the Company OD during an attack was a kick in the pants. I had a jeep, a driver, and a radio so I could quickly be where needed. Will never forget the voice of one of our tower guards on the radio. I could tell he was on the verge of panic, so we headed his way. His was the farthest tower on the perimeter, and the isolation was getting to be too much for him and his tower mate.

After the challenge and response, I climbed into the tower with them and asked what was the situation. He said, "Sir they are right out there and crawling this way." I wasn't too concerned as we were all well armed and had an M-60 as the tower weapon. Fortunately, I had my 7 X 50 binoculars with me and checked the area. I saw some bushes that weren't moving and that was about it. I handed the binoculars to him, and he made several sweeps of the area before he was satisfied.

Because he had calmed down, his next request surprised me: "Sir could you stay with us for just a little while longer?" I had become his father figure. I was a 22 year old W-1 (although I was the acting Company Commander) and represented all that which was safe and secure to him. As there was no other place I had to be, I stayed in the tower with them for about 30 more minutes, letting him scan the area with my binoculars.

I should say that these guys weren't members of our flight crew. They probably were Company clerks of some type who had never seen combat. Fear is a terrifying thing for those who experience it for the first time. For those of us who experience it on a regular basis, it is easily controlled.

At the end of the night as OD, we write a report of what happened, our actions in response thereto, and any recommendations we have. My recommendations were that all bushes and other growth be eliminated within 300 yards of the perimeter and that binoculars be issued to the tower guards at the far end of the perimeter. Don't know about the binoculars, or if that was even feasible, but within 3 days, all of that scary vegetation had been removed. It was originally removed, but over time it had regrown.

Wow, I didn't mean to write all of this, but once I started, the memories of that night so many years ago, came flooding back, and it was just as clear to me as it was that night.

 

[AbbaDatDeHat]

Thanks @Peacoat. I’m sure you changed that boy’s life.
People don’t realize it’s just young kids most of the time at the front.
B

Guess it was just a Marine thing(before crayons). Lol

 

[Vodzilla]

Sleeves are long, but otherwise it looks good. If you have the sleeves shortened, please ask the tailor to save all of the extra material inside the cuff. That way when you sell it and someone like me with long arms buys it, they can let the sleeves out again.

Circling back on this suggestion of yours Mr. Peacoat. Do you have a link on how you suggest they do this so that I can better explain to the tailor? Thanks again!

 

[Peacoat]

Circling back on this suggestion of yours Mr. Peacoat. Do you have a link on how you suggest they do this so that I can better explain to the tailor? Thanks again!

Just tell him you want to save as much of the cuff as possible so it can be let out again if necessary. He will understand. Hopefully he will speak English well enough so he understands.

 

[Vodzilla]

Just tell him you want to save as much of the cuff as possible so it can be let out again if necessary. He will understand. Hopefully he will speak English well enough so he understands.

Got it. Thanks again.

 

[Dudley]

Super Nice WWI up for auction on E-Bay.

 

[spoonbelly1950]

The size tags were square tags which were sewn right under the coat hook. My two coats have the sewing stitches still intact. If you look on your coats you will probably find them also on the top of the lining right under the hang up hook (loop). I've only seen a couple of coats with these tags on ebay.

I should have included this. The small size tags under the coats hang up loop were on WW2 coats. I don't think we know when they were discontinued.

 

[Dudley]

Every now and again you see a peacoat without the breast tag or stenciling. This one has the inspector neck tag, so it appears authentic. Any clues as to why no breast tag?

 

[Peacoat]

Every now and again you see a peacoat without the breast tag or stenciling. This one has the inspector neck tag, so it appears authentic. Any clues as to why no breast tag?

I have seen a few that were missing the inside pocket tag but have no idea why. Those tags are sturdy and are sewn on. They may have been intentionally removed, but don't know why someone would do that.

 

[hjv2]

Any tips how to reshape Kersey wool? I purchased a peacoat that have been storaged folded so the sleeves hang very flat - would like to have them more rounder and natural looking if possible.

 

[Peacoat]

I understand the problem. You might try putting weight on the creases to see if that will get rid of the flatness. But what I would do is to take it to a dry cleaning business and ask them what they can do to restore the shape of the sleeves. In the US, cleaning a peacoat costs about $15. It would be worth it to me to get rid of the flat sleeves.

 

[Dudley]

Any tips how to reshape Kersey wool? I purchased a peacoat that have been storaged folded so the sleeves hang very flat - would like to have them more rounder and natural looking if possible.

Dry cleaning is the the best way. Unless you know a good tailor with a steam press.

 

[Peacoat]

Dry cleaning is the the best way. Unless you know a good tailor with a steam press.

Excellent idea. I hadn't thought of that. I imagine most tailors and seamstresss will have a steam press, but unless recently cleaned, it is probably ready for one.

 

[Peacoat]

Thanks @Peacoat. I’m sure you changed that boy’s life.
People don’t realize it’s just young kids most of the time at the front.
B

Guess it was just a Marine thing(before crayons). Lol

He was only a couple of years younger than me, but I had seen a lot of combat, and he had seen none. That made the difference..

 

[MattieXMoto]

It would take me a while to read all 137 pages. Curious does anyone have a DIY how to find the story of the soldier that is on the tags? @Peacoat

How do I find out the story of Lueders E.T 605. 425 85 47

Seems like he would be of German heritage (last name). Potentially fighting vs Germans or Japanese? I would love to find out more history.

 

[Peacoat]

Sorry, but my expertise is in the history of the coat and not the history of the owner.

 

[Dudley]

It would take me a while to read all 137 pages. Curious does anyone have a DIY how to find the story of the soldier that is on the tags? @Peacoat

How do I find out the story of Lueders E.T 605. 425 85 47

Seems like he would be of German heritage (last name). Potentially fighting vs Germans or Japanese? I would love to find out more history.
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The navy does have a historical enlisted personnel look up site. Includes pictures. I have used it and rarely found a match.

 

[MattieXMoto]

The navy does have a historical enlisted personnel look up site. Includes pictures. I have used it and rarely found a match.

Do you have link?

 

[Dudley]

Do you have link?

Yes. I’ll send it later.