Some U.S. 5th Army WWII info needed for custom 1:6

Emergency Ian · #1 (**permalink**) 02-12-2006, 22:54

Hi guys,

My grandfather was part of the fifth army division (I think that's right, but please do correct me if I'm wrong..he's passed on and I don't have specifics..just going by the patch).

1) Anyhow, does anyone have or know where I can find a color picture of the patch on his coat?

2) Does anyone know what specific type of coat that is?

3) Are there any other specifics I should be aware of when making a custom 1:6 figure from the 5th Army in WWII?

Also, does anyone have anymore info on the 5th Army in WWII? I remember him telling me he was in Italy, France and North Africa. He could have been in other parts of the world too, but I remember those specifically. He enlisted in 1941 at the age of 17 after getting written permission from his mother and I believed he served until the end of the war. At some point during the war they (the U.S. Army) found out that he was a pretty good singer and ask him to join the special services to entertain the troups as part of a quartet. In fact after the war he continued to sing in quartets and even had his own TV show for a while. He even got a degree in English on the GI Bill and became a writer. (Sorry for all of the not so exciting and likely boring background, but I couldn't help myself.)

Thanks for any help and/or advice in advance.

- Ian

Quad.50 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 13:48

1.) That is the patch of the US 5th Army.

2.)Maybe an Ike Jacket? Maybe an ETO jacket? It's tough to tell from that one picture. Something wool, but not an overcoat.

3.)Just be aware that the US 5th Army was a huge organization that encoupassed many divisions and units. And even though they were all dressed in OD, the variations can be staggering. Depends on what time frame and what specific unit you are trying to portray. Is that the only picture you have of him in the military? Do you know when it was taken?

The US 5th Army was one of the principle Army formations in the Mediterranean. It was activated the begining of 1943 and sent to North Africa (Algeria and Morocco) but did not see combat until Italy. 5th Army is most famous for its operations in Italy, where it was stationed until October of '45. Campaign credits include: Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and Po Valley. The 5th Army suffered 109,642 casualties (19,475 were killed in action) in its 602 days of combat in Italy.

Also keep in mind that it would not be uncommon to leave one Army for another. My grandfather's AAA unit managed to be attached in the field to the 9th Airforce, 3rd Army and 7th Army from 1943-45. Perhaps your grandfather saw France when VI Corps became part of the US 7th Army for Operation Dragoon? Or when he was moved to his new singing position, or after the war on leave?

Emergency Ian · #3 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 16:46

Quad 50,

Thanks for your reply and for the information.

I know it was still during the war when he was in France. I'm not sure when that first picture was taken. I assume it was around 1943.

I do have a few other pictures of him while in the army during WWII, but none of the patches are really able to be seen. Here they are, though. I really appreciate all of your help.

- Ian

Emergency Ian · #4 (**permalink**) 02-21-2006, 16:59

Here's one more picture/drawing that I couldn't fit in the last reply. It won't be very helpful, but I think it's pretty interesting.

- Ian

Quad.50 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 01:30

I love seeing V-mail with art in it! It's neat to see all the things servicemen drew, from cartoons and holiday cards and what not, taking full advantage of the format. Pretty interesting indeed!

Is there a particular uniform you're leaning toward in regard to your planned custom figure? Winter? Summer? Field? Fatigue? Service?

Emergency Ian · #6 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 16:53

Yes, I love that v-mail too! My wife would like to frame it.

That v-mail sketch is one of my grandfather and was done by a "street" artist in what country...I don't remember for sure, but I think it was done in Italy.

I'm thinking he must have been with the 5th Army and in the Infantry all together longer than I had previously thought. He enlisted right at the beginning of '42 and wasn't out until sometime in '45. If the 5th Army wasn't activated until '43 and sent to North Africa (where he was) and then went to Italy for an extended stay. I guess sometime after they were in Italy for a while is when he was asked to join the special services (if that's what you would call it..I remember him calling it that). Of course, a lot of this is speculation on my part.

As far as what uniform I'm leaning toward, I guess winter would be my first choice, but I guess once I have the figure of him (custom made head on a DML body) I could switch up the uniforms from time to time if I'm able to put some together. Do you have any suggestions?

- Ian

Quad.50 · #7 (**permalink**) 02-22-2006, 22:50

Well you have lots of options, as there's plenty of variation as far as uniforms go in the MTO. Here's some pics (well pics of pics so the quality isn't stellar) of the 5th Army in Italy:

Emergency Ian · #8 (**permalink**) 02-23-2006, 17:01

Thanks so much for posting these pictures. They'll help out a good deal!

- Ian

Josey Wales · #9 (**permalink**) 05-08-2011, 16:24

My Father was in the 5th Army field artillery. I'm sure he went to the same places. I have tons of pictures.

John M. Lamb II

bltjr1951 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-30-2011, 10:51

Hopefully this isn't the only site you've asked this question?
Get bunches of hits when google.
I was thinking there was several reenactor groups that could help out.
One of these days I hope to make it to the WW2 museum:
The National WWII Museum | New Orleans: Collections: Focus On: Stalemate at Anzio

Have several family members I never got to know, cause they gave it all over there.