Description:

D-DAY JUMP JACKET AND BOOTS OF COL. CHESTER B. MCCOID
CHESTER B. MCCOID (1922-2000) American Army officer, a combat infantryman in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. McCoid was one of only 294 three-time holders of the prestigious Combat Infantry Badge. During the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, McCoid led a parachute rifle company of the 507th P.I.R. of the 82nd Airborne Division. He was wounded by anti-aircraft fire and crushed his right kneecap on landing, but was still able to capture two Russian soldiers pressed into service by the Germans. After fighting in Korea, he served as a member of the Army General Staff at the Pentagon. In 1966, McCoid began serving the first of three tours in Vietnam for a total of 51 months spread over the next seven years. He would be the last American to leave the field of battle outside Saigon. In his 34 years of dedicated service, Col McCoid received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Silver Star, five Legions of Merit, five Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts. Offered his is a superb grouping tied to McCoin, led by the jump jacket he wore on D-Day. The M-1942 jump jacket has four flapped bellows pockets with two snap closures each, the right breast pocket bearing two original frayed tears from use. Two small white cloth bars have been sewn to each shoulder strap to denote the rank of captain. The jacket's belt is present and secured to itself at the back of the garment, and the collar bears McCoid's name and serial number. There are about ten drops of a dried reddish substance about the inside and outside of the front zipper. The back of the jacket, however, shows extensive staining of the same type, perhaps McCoid's blood but this has not been tested. It is scattered throughout the lower back area, and also is seen down the left sleeve, right sleeve, and right shoulder. Also present is a pair of jump pants bearing McCoid's name stenciled within, two bellows pockets on the legs, two pockets at the sides, and two in the rear with a watch pocket and button fly. A semi-elastic triangle has been retrofitted to the inside bottom of each leg. These pants were replacements for the the pants he originally wore with the jump jacket, but which were cut away at the aid station. Also included are the jump boots worn by McCoin on his D-Day jump, complete with laces, now dyed black from the original brown as McCoin used them for 35 years when the regulation color changed. The provenance for the jacket and the boots is born out in an included copy of the Middletown (CT) Press article of June 4, 1994 wherein McCoin describes his D-Day exploits, mentions the boots, and is shown in a photograph displaying this jump jacket. There is a great deal more material in this wonderful lot. Included is: a 507th P.I.R. static line; Army Parachute School certificates awarded to McCoin, two from 1942; his award document for the French Croix de Guerre, 1947; three sets of dog tags; 1960 82nd Airborne Qualified Parachutist's card; three South Vietnamese award certificates; his Army chest name plate; his presentation silver-tipped 101st Airborne Vietnam swagger stick; ten certificates, diplomas, awards, etc, from the Army Infantry School, Connecticut National Guard, 82nd Airborne, etc.; Chinese Army honorary parachutist certificate; multiple portrait photographs, and several pieces of ephemera.

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June 27, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
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$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 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000