U.S. Army regulation dress wool coat, ca. 1945

The 36th “Texas” Infantry Division, originally a Texas National Guard unit, was mobilized as the U.S. prepared for a possible war in 1940. The 36th entered combat on September 9, 1943 and fought for two and a half years in Italy, France, Germany, and Austria.

Technical sergeant James Nelson served with both the 142nd and 143rd Infantry Regiments, part of the 36th Infantry Division. Nelson was severely wounded on March 15, 1945 and lost his leg below the knee. He received a Silver Star medal for the action. On his coat, a T-Patch (insignia of the 36th Infantry Division) is worn on the left shoulder and his Technical Sergeant stripes are on both sleeves. His U.S. collar brass and a 143rd Infantry Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) pin, Ruptured Duck (Discharge patch), Combat Infantryman Badge, and ribbon bars for a Silver Star Medal and a Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster can be seen on the front of the jacket.