January, 1970 Dated, US Army, 1938 Pattern, White Mess Uniform, belonging to a Engineer, Brigadier General (i.e.: a 1 Star General), named: "Arthur P. Hanket", the former Deputy Commanding Officer of Headquarters, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division

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Description

This uniform is dated January, 1970. It is a US Army, 1938 Pattern, White Mess Uniform. This uniform is named to "A.P. Hanket". The white color jacket is in EXCELLENT condition, which is rare for these color jackets that stained so easily. Each shoulder has a slip on epaulette for Officer status. They are black backed which is a common feature on many white color uniforms. Appeareatly the white backed type was not available. The black backing does, however add a bit of "panash" to this otherwise mundane style of a uniform. The buttons to these epaulettes are of the correct screw on style, and are of the 1 piece face type. The balance of the buttons all appear matching, are of the 2 piece face type, and are of the removable type (correct, for these white uniforms). Amazingly, the 2 small front closure buttons connected to a gold color chain are present, which is quite rare as they are usually missing. They are of the proper size and are of the 1 piece face type.

The left lapel shows where a miniature ribbon bar was once pinned on. There is also evidence of a brest badge having at one time being pinned on his chest. Each lower sleeve has the eide white color braid for a General Officer. Just above the sleeve braid is a sewn on white color, General's enbroidered star insignia for a Brigadier General (i.e.: a 1 Star General). The inside of the jacket is fully lines in white color satin/artifical silk. It too is in EXCELLENT condition. Sewn below one of the inside pockets is a magnificent, white tailor's label with bright gold lettering. It is really a work of art unto itself. The gold color lettering reads: "Hand Tailor, Sang Woo, Tailoring, 226 Choi Hung Road, 5/F, San Po Kong, KLN, Hong Kong". This is probably one of the nicest labels we have ever seen on a uniform. There is a 2nd tailor's label found sewn below another inside pocket that is of the bevo style. It reads: "Specially Made For Mr. A.P. Hanket, Order No. SA 300835", and sewn just belo that is a 3rd sewn on tage that is inked: "This garment is produced from approved material and is warranted to meer or exceed existing standards".

This uniform includes it's matching black color trousers. They too are in EXCELLENT condition. They are of the civilian pattern in that they have black color side stripes and not the regulation twin gold color stripes. This is a common occurance on both the white and blue color mess dress uniforms. Since most of these white and blue mess dress uniforms originated from private tailor's and/or civilian tuxedo shops, these uniforms often mimic civilian styles more then they do to match Army regulations requirements. This drives inexperienced collectors just nuts, but it is a fact nevertheless. Sewn inside the trousers is a tailor's tag for the same tailor who made the jacket. The tag is of a different style in that it is inked and not embroidered. It reads: "Sang Woo, Clothing Mfg. Co. Ltd, Custom Tailor, 31-33. NG Fong Street, 5th Floor, San Po Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Name: A.P. Hanket, Order No. SA 300835 1-70". To help complete this uniform grouping the museum is including 4 pages of biographical career information as researched by the museum's staff. Also included is a nice photo of Brigadier General Hanket in his Army Green Uniform.

Comments from the Curator:

This impressive grouping is a very nicely matched set belonging to a highly decorated Engineer, Airborne General who served from late WWII up through the Vietnam Conflict Period. His list of awards is very impressive with his attaining of the award of the Bronze Star Medal alone and amzing 5 times! The reasonable selling price also makes this named General's grouping quite attainable for most serious collectors, including beginners to the field.

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