U.S. Marine Corps Parade Uniform, white pants?

[Connaught Ranger]

Hi Gents,

I have been asked to show my militaria collection at the local Museum in Deva, sometime in the near future, along with European medals and Insignia between 1815 - Present day, military equipment, etc.. etc..

I have some uniform items, part of which is a jacket and pants of the U.S. Marine Corps.

I attach pictures, please forgive the condition of the items prior to being dry cleaned, its been in storage for about 10 years, I need to know something about the uniform, for the display notice, this one has white pants?

I also need to know how much would a Parade cap would cost to accompany the uniform display (or do we have a kind member who would be willing to donate one?)

I obtained this uniform back in the mid 1980's I believe, from another Irish soldier who gave it to me in a swop, what would be a good representation of ribbons for that period, and what basic insignia would one expect to see on the uniform.


Many thanks for any forth coming responses.

Connaught Ranger.

[Rattfink]

The white trousers are to be worn with the black blouse by enlisted men of staff sergeant or higher grade, officers, and enlisted men assigned to special duties such as the silent drill team during the Summer months. I suggest checking out ebay for the cover. If you aren't picky about size, an appropriate example can be had on the cheap.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USMC-Dress-B...item3cc712331d

The belt is incorrect. It should be white canvas with an unadorned bronzed waist plate style buckle.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USMC-Brass-B...item564aaef692
http://www.ebay.com/itm/USMC-Dress-B...item3cb715d591

I'll check. I may have an extra belt and waist plate for LCpl. I'll pm if I do and you are serious about shipping and all.
A typical uniform would be worn with no insignia, but certain MOS's and competencies might have emblems, such as pilot, aircrew, scuba qualed, EOD etc. worn over the ribbon rack.

With no major conflicts in the 80s, the ribbon rack would likely be devoid of campaign medals (old Corps, correct me if I'm wrong). Things like a Navy Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal would be common for any era. And a LCpl might only have had those, or none at all.

EVERY Marine WILL have mounted a shooting badge designating him as having qualed Marksman, Sharpshooter or Expert worn directly underneath the ribbon rack 1/8th inch and centered over pocket, unless he had a pistol badge too. Then they would be equally spaced.

I hope that helps.

[HollywoodMarine]

The belt is incorrect. It should be white canvas with an unadorned bronzed waist plate style buckle.

+1 Word!

The blet on the photo you posted goes on an officers dress blues belt, as shown the photo below.


You need a flat waist plate for the Lance Corporal dress blues, as shown with this PFC (Private First Class).

[gaijinsamurai]

With no major conflicts in the 80s, the ribbon rack would likely be devoid of campaign medals (old Corps, correct me if I'm wrong). Things like a Navy Achievement Medal and Good Conduct Medal would be common for any era. And a LCpl might only have had those, or none at all.

EVERY Marine WILL have mounted a shooting badge designating him as having qualed Marksman, Sharpshooter or Expert worn directly underneath the ribbon rack 1/8th inch and centered over pocket, unless he had a pistol badge too. Then they would be equally spaced...

x2.
I went through Boot Camp in the winter of 1985/86, and the majority of my drill instructors (see pic) had one or two ribbons (usually a NAM or GCM like Rat Fink says).







As for me, I had a Meritorious Unit Commendation and Sea Service Ribbon, until Desert Shield/Storm, when everyone's ribbon count seemed to skyrocket.

[Connaught Ranger]

Gents, thanks very much for the info so far,

I also found these brass buckles in the box the uniform was in,



not sure if they are related to the items, U.S. I believe from the markings.

Connaught Ranger.

[HollywoodMarine]

You will need to shine those buckles, and get a web belt.

[Connaught Ranger]

You will need to shine those buckles, and get a web belt.

Thanks H.M.


Work in progress, the belt is an old Austrian military one, not the best but ok for the pictures, I can probably pick up a civilian canvas belt in better condition in one of the many second hand shops here in Deva, Transylvania.
Brass polishing lol! sure takes me back it was the bane of our existence in my recruit training back in May 1976 with the Irish army.

Connaught Ranger.

[HollywoodMarine]

The Marine Corps no longer uses the "old school" brass, or leather shoes where you have to spend hours shinning them. Current US military uniform regulations only allow anodized brass, and artificial leather dress shoes free of wax polish (aka, Bates Corafram).

Thanks H.M.

Anytime CR!

[PMI]

You will need to shine those buckles, and get a web belt.

Nice skivvy shirt.

[HollywoodMarine]

Nice skivvy shirt.

Well... at least he's not wearing a "wife beater".

[Connaught Ranger]

Can anybody kindly id the medals being worn in this picture:-



Connaught Ranger.

[PMI]

Can anybody kindly id the medals being worn in this picture:-



Connaught Ranger.

L - National Defense Service Medal
R - Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

[Connaught Ranger]

I think I got the jacket and pants in the mid 1980's, so, would it be pre National Defense Service Medal and pre Global War on Terrorism Service Medal items? and what would have been a typical ribbon bar worn at that period, and any close up of such period items, ribbon bars and weapon qualification insignia in wear.

Thanks for your time and patience with regards my questions.

Connaught Ranger.

[gaijinsamurai]

Mid-1980's, there were still some Vietnam War veterans who had yet to retire, so ribbons associated with that conflict would have been somewhat common for Staff NCO ranks (Staff Sergeant-Sgt. Major) and senior offficers.

Most common were one or two ribbons, most likely Good Conduct and Sea Service Deployment, or maybe a Navy Achievement Medal or Navy Commendation Medal. Unit awards, such as the Meritorious Unit Citation, would have been somewhat common. Veterans of Beirut and Grenada could have had a Combat Action Ribbon.

I know the photo is too small to see well, but if you look at the pic I posted of my platoon in Boot Camp, you may be able to see that the DIs have one or two ribbons each, which was typical for that time. All are Sergeants/Staff Sergeants.

[Connaught Ranger]

Mid-1980's, there were still some Vietnam War veterans who had yet to retire, so ribbons associated with that conflict would have been somewhat common for Staff NCO ranks (Staff Sergeant-Sgt. Major) and senior offficers.

Most common were one or two ribbons, most likely Good Conduct and Sea Service Deployment, or maybe a Navy Achievement Medal or Navy Commendation Medal. Unit awards, such as the Meritorious Unit Citation, would have been somewhat common. Veterans of Beirut and Grenada could have had a Combat Action Ribbon.

I know the photo is too small to see well, but if you look at the pic I posted of my platoon in Boot Camp, you may be able to see that the DIs have one or two ribbons each, which was typical for that time. All are Sergeants/Staff Sergeants.

Thanks GS!

for the info, but, does that match up to the rank on the particular jacket in my pictures?

Connaught Ranger.