July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
Excellent example of a UNIS stamped P41 fatigue jacket named to a Marine who landed at Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Charles J. Adamsson first appears in US Marine Corps records in January 1943 where he is listed as a "PFC, Officer Candidate". Adamsson would prove himself to be officer material and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division in July of 1943 where he is listed at Camp Pendleton. During World War II, the 23rd Marines distinguished themselves during the campaigns of Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Adamsson, who is the only Marine with that name on the muster roles, is listed to have landed in the latter 3 campaigns while attached to the 23rd Marine Regiment. At Saipan, the 23rd Marines were assigned to blue beaches 1 and 2. Saipan proved to be a bloody battle, and servicemen there witnessed the largest banzai charge in the Pacific War. Weeks later, Adamsson and the men of the 23rd were fighting on Tinian, where they acted as the assault reserve landing on beach white 2. Tinian also proved to be a hard fought battle, but the success of the Marines meant that mainland Japan would now be in range of B-29 Bombers. After repeated success in their campaigns, the 23rd's next task was to assist in the capture of Iwo Jima, which would prove to be a formidable task. Adamsson and his men were assigned to yellow beaches with 1/23 landing on yellow beach one and 2/23 landing on yellow beach 2, while 3/23 assault reserve. Marines had to dismount early and proceed on foot, as their amtracs were unable to do more than uselessly churn the infamous black ash sand and made no progress up the slopes on the beaches. Iwo proved to be a bloody battle, as the American victory at Iwo Jima was won with a terrible price. According to the Navy Department Library, "the 36-day assault resulted in more than 26,000 American casualties.". Adamsson had survived the horrors of the Pacific War and returned to the United States where he is listed in the reserves until his retirement as a Captain in 1958. Adamsson's P41 jacket survived the war, outlived the officer, and this simple herringbone jacket now carries his legacy. The jacket is in standard P41 configuration and with 1 upper and 2 lower pockets, with the upper pocket featuring the correct USMC stamp. The jacket is named on the reverse "C.J. ADAMSSON". Below his name is a great UNIS marking which denotes: Lieutenant, Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Division. This was probably one of Adamsson's earlier P41s. CONDITION: Very clean overall, retaining all of its original USMC donut buttons. USMC stamp and UNIS markings exhibit fading. Scattered Stains. Vibrant colors. Overall very good. The jacket is complete with a research file which details Adamsson's WWII Service. JLD
Item Dimensions: 10" X 10"