Fit Marines resplendent in dress blue uniforms on USMC recruiting posters convinced many patriotic young men to join the Corps in WW2. Most were disappointed to find that the forest green service uniform had replaced the dress blues as a wartime cost cutting measure. By August 1942, Marines who had already been issued a set of blues were allowed to keep them, but any other Leatherneck who wanted a set had to purchase them himself. This USMC Marine US WW2 Staff Sergeant Badged Dress Blue Tunic W/ Pants Uniform is in Very Good condition, with some pinholes at the left chest of the jacket where additional insignia appear to have once been, a moth hole in the upper left chest of the jacket, a moth hole in the front left thigh of the pants, likely a few more small moth holes scattered about, and with some scattered age wear evident. Most interestingly, the tunic bears no front pockets, distinguishing it as a WW2 or earlier piece, carries red felt based Staff Sergeant chevrons at the sleeves, along with two red felt based “service stripes” at each cuff, denoting 8 years of service in the USMC, and exhibits ribbons for the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, WW1 Victory Medal with “battle star”, China Service Medal, and American Defense Medal with “battle star” at the left chest; this was certainly a long serving Marine. It features M-37 enlisted man’s gilt Eagle, Globe, and Anchor insignias at the collar, and is complete with a pair of dress blue pants with a “blood stripe” down each leg, confirming a set of trousers for an NCO. This uniform is a great relic from the “Old Corps”.
Uniforms