In 1948 at MCRD San Diego I was issued 1ea Coat Winter Green and 1ea Jacket Winter Green. That was the desingation as listed on a hand out for laying-out “Junk-on- the Bunk” while I was stationed at Marine Barracks NAS San Diego, CA. I wore said “Jacket”for the next 18 years untill the curent Uniform became avilalbe. The “Jacket” was a betterfit than the long “Coat” . I never in 20+ years on active duty heard it refered to as an “Ike”. Some did refer to the short Jacket as a so called “Battle Jacket”. Check with the “Uniforam Branck” HQMC for correct termonolagdely cir 1940s to 1960s
William F Beasley
GySgt USMC (ret)
One of the “Chosin Few”
Thanks GUNNY for a piece of OLD Corps history.
While at Boot camp PI, SC., 1976, we were issued :
a summer dress (polyester) blouse. A winter dress (wool) blouse. And a full length dress winter (wool) overcoat.
The overcoat we called “a horse blanket.” SEMPER FI Marines
SSGT. Tony Woconish
1976-1982
Gunny Beasley: The Marine Corps Legacy Museum, Harrison, AR, starting in 1985,began creating a comprehensive catalog of 20th Century USMC uniforms stored in Building 2014 for research.
While the ‘Battle Jacket’ of WWII/Korea/Cold War fame isn’t listed, there is reference to the “Uniform Jacket, USMC 1945 ENL (enlisted) Khaki” described as “Khaki cotton Vandegrift-type with rolled collar, shoulder straps and two pleated breast pockets” and called the P(pattern) 1945. Notes state “This jacket was worn for short period period beginning (16 Jan) 1947 and ending 1957 [Uniform Regulations 1949; change #4, 1954, pg 44]” A hand-written note indicates the khaki version became obsolete 1 July 1968.
Although this is the khaki (tan) cotton version of the green wool jacket more commonly seen – and worn for a longer period – it goes to reference from an official USMC historical source as a ‘Vandegrift’ jacket, not an Ike jacket.
PS Did you serve (briefly) as an E5 Sergeant with 11th Marines FDC in 1964?
Received my (Battle Jacket) and crappy green rain coat w/liner. Could not get rid of that crappy raincoat fast enough and when the opportunity presented it self, swapped for the horse blanket overcoat.
Transferred to South East Asia for a couple of years, the jacket and overcoat went in to MC storage while deployed and never to be seen again.
Enjoyed the readings, just wanted to know, if there are any ideas on where one could find a green field jacket and a long dress coat ( wool) . I had one of each while in the Corps. (67-69) . The jacket wore out and the over coat(long coat) got a little small on me??? Thanks for the interesting readings. Semper Fi.
Pat Pudetti
Gunny, you are definitely “Ole Corps”. I enlisted in 1965 and my first duty station was Henderson Hall. The Corps was just changing from brown to black leather shoes and belts. Also, I was issued herringbone utilites in boot camp but before I left the island, they took them from me and gave me solid greens. Thank you for serving!!!!!!
Col Lorraine Ceniceros Nelson