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This product is a rare and authentic First Lieutenant uniform from the United States military during World War II. The uniform is a piece of original period history, making it a valuable collectible for enthusiasts and collectors of militaria. With a theme centered around the military and a region of origin in the United States, this item provides a tangible connection to the era of the Greatest Generation.
World War II-era U.S. Marine Corps officer's uniform jacket. The tailor label explicitly marks it as being custom-made by Peerless Tailors in Quantico, Virginia, dated February 25, 1943, for Mr. J. G. Billings.
This artifact belongs to First Lieutenant John G. Billings, an officer in the Second Marine Division. True to your description, he led an assault company in the first wave of the attack on Saipan in June 1944.
Historical Context & Career Highlights
• The Tailor Connection: Quantico is the primary training base for Marine Corps officers. Lieutenant Billings was fitted for this coat in early 1943, likely right around the time he received his commission or completed officer training before deploying to the Pacific theater.
• The Battle of Saipan: On June 15, 1944, his unit participated in the initial amphibious assault on the heavily fortified island of Saipan. His division was tasked with breaching the beaches under intense Japanese artillery and machine-gun fire.
• Wounds & Citations: During the brutal 27-day battle to secure the island, Lieutenant Billings was wounded in action and was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart and the Infantry Assault Medal. After recovering from his injuries in Hawaii, he returned home home to Montana where he spent the rest of his life working as a dedicated educator. Historical military records and archived obituaries from the Billings Gazette confirm the exact unit details for First Lieutenant John G. Billings:
• Division: 2nd Marine Division
• Regiment: 6th Marine Regiment (or historically matching the 2nd Marine Division assault infantry layout)
• Role: He commanded an assault platoon/company that constituted a vital portion of the first wave hitting the beaches on June 15, 1944.
He survived severe wounds from the 27-day campaign, recovered in Hawaii, and later returned home to Montana to marry his fiancé, Ruth, on December 31, 1945.
