Dress and Deployment
World War II 1941-1945
In World War II the Quartermaster Department decided that uniforms in the field should be functional and different than dress uniforms. Because of this, the Quartermaster Department developed specialized uniforms and jackets for combat, flying, and parachute jumping. The jacket you see here is called an Eisenhower jacket, named after Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Fun Facts:
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Ed Condon of Nodaway County wore this jacket and had a personal friendship with President Harry S. Truman.
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Condon joined the Missouri National Guard on June 14, 1917.
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Captain Harry S. Truman assumed command of the battery in France 1918.
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Condon served in the National Guard or was on active duty until his retirement in 1953.
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During his time in service he became close friends with Truman, serving under him in France during World War I and later enjoying a strong personal relationship until Truman’s death in 1972.
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There are even letters between Condon and Truman in the Presidential Library!
The M1 helmet is designed to protect the user from flying shrapnel and explosions. After its adoption in 1941, the M1 helmet became the symbol of U.S. military forces and was used by all branches of the military for the rest of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
This uniform was worn by local Doy Carr. It is an example of a World War II dress uniform. This is different than Ed Condon’s uniform pictured above because it is formal dress. Formal dress can be worn at weddings, funerals, special occasions, and anything that is authorized by the commander. The Army dress uniform can also be in white. Carr owned one of the white uniforms as well. The dress uniforms that the Army currently uses look a lot Carr’s, but his is green while today they are dark navy blue.