Jacket
Object number2015.20.13
Manufacturer
Dan Udell
Datec. 1944
OriginPhiladelphia, PA
MediumWool/Fabric/Metal/Plastic/Ink
Credit LineGift of Mary Antol
DescriptionMilitary uniform field jacket, also known as Ike jacket. Wool. Olive drab. Long sleeve. Notch-lapel with collar. Five brown plastic buttons down front opening; one brown plastic button under proper right lapel; one brown plastic button on each shoulder loop, two brown plastic buttons on each cuff; and one metal snap at front bottom proper right of center. One breast pocket on each front panel with one brown plastic button each. One interior pocket inside each front panel.Dimensions28 x 18.5 in. (71.1 x 47 cm)InscriptionsTan fabric tag inside collar at center with printed black text "38S".
Handwritten numbers in black ink on interior below collar "7834 / C7834" and inside proper right front panel in bottom corner "96Z+" or "9627".
MarksWhite fabric label inside proper right interior pocket with black printed text "Jackets, Field, Wool, O.D. / Stock No. 55-J-384-640 / Size 38R [R is struckthrough and "S" is handwritten next to it] / DAN UDELL / P.O. NO. 1434 / Dated Aug. 16, 1944 / Pattern Dated 5/10/44 / Spec. P.Q.D. No. 437 / Phila Q.M. Depot / Inspector".
Historical NotesJoseph Cordasco came to the United States in 1915 with his father, first to the North Side. He was drafted into the Army in 1942 and served with the 5th Army in North Africa and Italy as a Master Sergeant in the Quartermasters unit. While Joseph was serving in the American Army, his brother Pietro was serving in the Italian Army. They met up while Joseph was stationed in Naples and dressed Pietro up as an American soldier so he could stay on base for a couple weeks. Joseph was also able to return to Calabria after V-E Day and visit his mother and other siblings. After he returned from the war, Joseph married Rosalie in 1946, who he had met before the war at a paesani picnic for people from San Donato di Ninea living in America. They settled in Pitcairn where they had one daughter, Mary Cordasco. He opened Joe's Shoe Store in the 1950's, which remained open until business waned with the opening of the Miracle Mile in Monroeville. After closing the shoe store Joseph worked at Westinghouse and assisted with Helpy's Tavern.
Previous owner
Joseph S. Cordasco
Related institution
United States Army
Related institution
Fifth United States Army
On View
Not on view
1941-1953
