Jacket
Object number2014.54.1
Date1949-1951
MediumCotton/wool, felt, metal, plastic
Credit LineGift of Joseph M. Arcuri
DescriptionOlive green, long-sleeved, hip-length, military uniform jacket. Buttons down front with a breast pocket on each side. Gold, round insignia pin on each lapel: right is "U.S." and left is a torch with crossed, square flags behind it. Over proper left breast pocket is a blue and white rectangular bar pin with vertical stripes and three blue stars on the left side. On top of proper left breast pocket is a gold framed, rectangular bar pin with green and red vertical stripes on either side of a red and blue yin yang in the center. On proper right sleeve is a red, octagonal felt patch with a raised "X" design in the center. Below that are two olive green chevrons on a navy blue background. On the proper left sleeve is a green, shield-shaped patch with raised black letters diagonally across the center. Below that are two olive green chevrons on a navy blue background.Dimensions28.5 x 25 x 2 in. (72.4 x 63.5 x 5.1 cm)InscriptionsStamped inside below collar "C-6926".
Right lapel insignia is "U.S." pin.
On the proper left sleeve is a green, shield-shaped patch with "KCOMZ" in raised black letters diagonally across the center.
MarksTag in collar that reads: "38 / R".
Historical NotesKorean War era military uniform jacket. Gregory "Lou" Arcuri was a second-generation Italian American born in Oakland. He was drafted into the armed forces in the late 1940s after graduating high school. According to his son Joseph, Arcuri never spoke about his experiences serving in Korea from 1949-51 except for one time at the VA hospital when he revealed that he was the only survivor from his unit. His unit departed as a group on a weekend mission and separated; Arcuri was the only one to return to base. Upon his return to the United States, he and other veterans were confronted by negative reception from the public. He worked for J&L Steel for 38 years and served as general foreman under superintendent Dick DePaolis. Arcuri was also one of the region's premier pigeon fanciers. The West Mifflin Racing Club's clubhouse was in his backyard in West Mifflin. His specialty was breeding pigeons for long distance racing and he organized an annual seven day race from Hawaii to Pittsburgh. Besides raising pigeons, Arcuri was well known in the community for his garden, which featured heirloom tomatoes brought by his family from Italy, and hand-raised giant albino rabbits, chickens, and roosters.
Previous owner
Gergory Arcuri
Related institution
Jones and Laughlin Steel Company
Related institution
West Mifflin Racing Club
On View
Not on viewCollections
c. 1945
1941-1953
c. 1917
1944-1945
