Description:

Scarce named uniform once belonging to Brigadier General WENDELL C. PHILLIPPI, the Commanding General of the 38th Infantry Division. Phillippi had served with the 36th Infantry Division in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany, earning the Silver Star, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star for Valor and Cluster for Meritorious Service, and the Purple Heart in seven compaigns and two invasions. The 1942 pattern tunic, constructed of green wool, was likely worn by Phillippi from World War II to the early-1950s. The tunic is closed with three brass buttons and one composite button (potentially a replacement), while the chest bears two flap-style pockets to the breasts and two near the hips. Pinned on each shoulder epaulette are magnificent sterling colonel's rank pins, and pinned on each upper collar lapel is a pair of gold metal 'US' pins. The lower collar lapels bear a matching and hallmarked pair of gold crossed rifles insignia. Each lower sleeve has the mohair cloth rings of officer status. Each upper sleeve shows evidence of a patch having been sewn on. The lot is being sold with an original 36th Infantry Division patch for attachment to the right sleeve, if desired. The interior of the jacket is fully lined and partially quilted, with a BeVo-style tailor's tag found on the outside of the pocket, reading: 'Tailored Expressly For L. Strauss & Co. Inc., Indianapolis'. Sewn on the inside of an upper pocket is a cloth ink-stamped manufacturer's name tag, reading 'L. Strauss & Co. Inc., Indianapolis' and bearing the typed name 'W.C. Phillippi'. There are two internal belt hangers present to attach brass belt hooks. One hook is present. An odd feature of this coat's lining is that two huge inner pockets were jaggedly cut near the waist, likely by Phillippi for convenience's sake. Sold with a pair of private-purchase wool trousers, dated January 15th, 1945, bearing a tag reading: 'Trousers, Wool, Elastique, OD Dark, Officer's, M-1944, Spec. P.Q.D. 49C, Pat. Date March, 1944'. There is a name inked inside of 'Colver', and also of 'WCP', certainly for 'Wendell C. Phillippi'. To help complete this uniform, the lot includes a green tie and an officer's style, O.D. color shirt, each in very good condition. Sold with some additional research, including Philippi's service records; a signed copy of Phillippi's book ‘Dear Ike' about Dwight Eisenhower, with a hand-inked dedication to 'Colonel Marshall E. Lantz'; and a signed note from Phillippi to an unknown recipient, not directly mentioning the uniform. From a major private collection on public display.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000