Help with Marine? Uniform and insignia

[Kevo_DFX]

I don't know my uniforms as well as I should. Anyway, this is a wool coat, I believe Marine. From BigCy's awesome list of Great Seal backmarks, I know the buttons, marked "WATERBURY BUTTON CO * CONN. * ", designates it as pre 1965.

I was wondering if this is indeed Marine and what the two insignia and service ribbons I found in the pockets mean.

I purchased this at an auction for a pittance.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Eddie Lomax]

It's WW2 era US Army.
The red ribbon is the Good Conduct Medal.
The green one is the European-African-Middle Eastern medal.
The patch is a Discharge Patch that allowed him to wear his uniform until he got home.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a...circle_with_it's_wings_extended_out_of_circle

 

[digging wv]

Just out of curiosity, what made you think it may be a Marine Corps uniform?

 

[Kevo_DFX]

Thanks Eddie!

cc - I don't know. This one's a bit before my time. I always associated Brown with the USMC and green with the Army.

Kevo

 

[Eddie Lomax]

This era was known as the "Brown Shoe Army". In 1960 they switched to black shoes/black boots and green uniforms, so your uniform dates WW2 and shortly after.

 

[Lafitte Deux]

FYI, the discharge patch was known as the "ruptured duck" and is WW 2 era.

 

[Eddie Lomax]

FYI, the discharge patch was known as the "ruptured duck" and is WW 2 era.

Where, oh where have I heard that before. Oh yea, that's what I posted above.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_a...circle_with_it's_wings_extended_out_of_circle

 

[digging wv]

heard of the ruptured duck for the navy. was it used for all services?

 

[NOLA_Ken]

heard of the ruptured duck for the navy. was it used for all services?

Yes it was issued to all branches upon discharge at the end of WW2

 

[Eddie Lomax]

I've seen navy versions with blue or white background and a marine version that had a darker brown background than yours. I also saw a green background but don't know who used it.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

I believe, but am not 100%, that there was an od green patch for winter uniforms in Army, Marines and USAAF, and a khaki version for their summer uniforms. I may be wrong about that, but I'm pretty sure I remember being told that at some point.

 

[Lafitte Deux]

FYI, the discharge patch was known as the "ruptured duck" and is WW 2 era.

Where, oh where have I heard that before. Oh yea, that's what I posted above.

Sorry Eddie. I didn't mean to infer that I'd ID'ed it. Just wanted to throw the interesting nickname out to all. That's what I've always heard the patch called.