Original U.S. WWII Identified FSSF & 474th Infantry Regiment Uniform Grouping with Piped Overseas Cap & Binder of Research - James P. McCormack, 1st Special Service Force

Original Items. One-of-a-Kind Group. This is the tremendous uniform grouping of Technician 5th Grade James Preston McCormack, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 474th Infantry Regiment, 1st Special Service Force. The 474th was formed after the American / Canadian First Special Service force was disbanded. The patch takes the red arrowhead design from the U.S. / Canadian unit, with a blue sailing ship in the middle.

This amazing grouping consists of:
- McCormack’s WWII Ike Jacket with a hand-embroidered 474th Infantry patch on the left shoulder, and an American / Canadian First Special Service Force on the right shoulder, with Technician 5th Grade chevrons on both sleeves. There are four overseas stripes on the left cuff, and US & Infantry collar insignia. There’s a Ruptured Duck honorable discharge badge above the right breast pocket, and on the left breast pocket is a likely Sterling Combat Infantryman Badge. Above the pocket is a set of Sterling Paratrooper wings and a five-place ribbon bar with the Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four campaign stars for Naples Foggia, Southern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe and an Invasion arrowhead, the Asiatic Campaign Medal with one campaign star for the Aleutian Islands, and the WWII Victory Medal. There is a red, white, and blue shoulder cord attached to the right shoulder, but the cord has broken off of one side and is now hanging, although it should sit correctly for display. The jacket retains its size tag, 36R. 
- McCormack’s FSSF Overseas cap with red, white, and blue piping. There is a tag with a laundry number inside, G-0824, incorrect for McCormick, but these would have been traded and reissued during & after the war. 
- McCormack’s Army shirt with a Ruptured Duck patch. There is a name tag reading J. MCCORMACK stitched inside.
- McCormack’s Army tie, unmarked.
- Binder with printed research documents including McCormack’s Enlisted Record and Honorable Discharge, his Separation Qualification Record, and a spare 474th Patch. There are four reprinted photos of McCormack in uniform with his family, and seven original photos of McCormack in uniform and also with family. His Soldier’s Individual Pay Record and several letters to and from McCormack are also included, with some spare chevrons as well. Lastly, there is a nametag with his unit information almost certainly from a veteran’s reunion.

James Preston McCormack was born on January 3rd, 1920 in Arlington, Texas. He was inducted into the draft on May 7th, 1942, entering the service on May 9th. He spent a month in the Pacific from July to August 1943 before returning to the United States on August 22nd, 1943. On October 28th, 1943 he embarked for Europe, arriving on November 5th. According to his Separation Qualification Record, McCormack served as a Personnel Clerk. It reads, Was assigned to the 474th Infantry Regiment. Maintained regimental files in accordance with the Dewey decimal file system. Has also maintained service records. Typed pay rolls, correspondence, and various reports. Typed 45 wpm. Was in charge of issuing and ordering war department blank forms and office supplies, took inventory at various intervals. Was stationed in the European and Asiatic Pacific Theaters of operation for 24 months. He left Europe on October 15th, 1945, returning to the US on October 25th. He was discharged on November 2nd, 1945. He passed away on November 30th, 1987. 

This is a tremendous 1st Special Service Force & 474th Infantry Uniform grouping, ready for further research and display!