Description:

('BAND OF BROTHERS' 506TH P.I.R.) LT. ROBERT E. HALEY'S M-1943 FIELD JACKET, HOOD, AND PANTS (5)
ROBERT E. HALEY (1919-2004) American military officer in the 101st Airborne Division, a well-rounded student and athlete from Connecticut who served first with the 541st P.I.R., then more famously as 506 P.I.R. Headquarters platoon leader, company commander, and executive officer from late June, 1944 to August, 1945 during which he participated in the Operation Market Garden jump, Bastogne, and many other significant engagements of that famous regiment. He remained with the 506th, transferred to Co. E in July, 1945, until June, 1947. A most important 506th PIR relic, Haley's battle-worn M-1943 field jacket with insignia in which it is said he jumped during Operation Market Garden on 17 September 1944. The jacket is the standard issue M-1943, OD-green cotton sateen with four buttoned scalloped pockets (buttons lost from lower pockets), seven buttons at front. There are also two shoulder straps with the same buttons. The right shoulder bears a period 101st Airborne 'Screaming Eagle' patch with separate flash, both sewn to the garment with a continuous machine stitch of black thread. Within, the jacket is unlined and bears a waist-level drawstring. A label at the neck indicates size 38L. The jacket is frayed from use at the end of the sleeves, less so at the bottom of the garment, and there are some holes at the inside of the collar where the fabric was cut. There are some scattered light grease stains and tiny holes and tears, otherwise in very good condition. WITH: Haley's M-43 jacket hood, essentially unused, also removed from his trunk. WITH: Haley: M43 pants, likely not from the same set as showing much less wear, some near matching green paint to the seat and some stitching sprung at the bottom of one leg. WITH: a 2.5 x 3.5 in. photograph of a windmill and stream, no doubt taken by Haley and from his photo alum. Obtained directly from Haley's family. With supporting documentation from Haley's records. WITH: a 3 x 5 in. candid photograph of Haley during his training, his body draped with bandoliers of machine gun ammunition. WITH: a war-date document signed by Haley, 1p. 4to., Fort Meade, Md., [1943], Haley's attestation that he had settled all outstanding accounts at the base prior to be shipped out to the U.K. Very good. During Market Garden, the 101st's mission was to secure the fifteen miles of Hell's Highway stretching from Eindhoven north to Veghel. The unit was to land in Holland on DZ B, seize the Wilhelmina Canal bridges at Zon, then move south and take Eindhoven with its four highway bridges over the Dommel River. Shortly after 1315 hours on the afternoon of 17 September 1944, the entire regiment landed on one field, and the unit pushed south to Zon. After Holland, this jacket certainly saw a great deal of action in France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany!

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March 26, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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