This is the Marine Corps version of the US Army “Ike” jacket named for Marine Corps General and later Commandant, Alexander Vandegrift.

After Guadalcanal the 1^st Marine Division, under Vandegrift’s command, was moved to the cooler climate of Australia. Only having summer uniforms the Division was issued Australian battle jackets for wear with their Marine insignia. The style of the jacket caught on and in August 1945 became standard issue to enlisted Marines. The jacket was made obsolete in 1960.

The jacket offered here is made of forest green wool with two breast pockets and a 6 button front. All buttons are hidden. Each shoulder has a cloth epaulette anchored by a single button. Each cuff also has a flap anchored by a Marine Corps cuff button. Above the left pocket are two rows of ribbons. The first row is the Purple Heart ribbon while the second row is World War Two Victory, Asiatic-Pacific with two campaign stars and American Theater. Each sleeve has a green on red Corporal stripe.

The interior is lined in a with a green nylon material with a vertical breast pocket. The inside edge of the breast pocket is stamped in black in with a smudged Marine Corps Quartermaster stamp and the dates 1952-1953. Stamped in the left sleeve is the name “CROOK W. H.” in white ink.

The jacket is in very good clean condition and is only missing the eagle, globe and anchor insignias on the collar.

There was a William H. Crook who served with the 1^st Battalion, 2^nd Marines, 2^nd Marine Division but more research will be needed to see if he was the owner of this jacket.

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