Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Military Uniform

Object Number

2017-19-30 a-c

Description

US Marine Corps uniform, in three parts, World War II era. A - Winter service uniform jacket. Dark green wool twill. Single-breasted with lapels and brass buttons at center front and on pockets. Double-patch pockets at chest and waist. Epaulets with buttons and seven-pointed brass maple leaf pin (Major rank insignia). Long sleeves with chevron patches at cuffs. Center-back pleat. Dark green silk lining; interior chest pocket. Underarm shield. B - Long pants in matching fabric. Two flap pockets in back with buttons. Center front button fly front. Eight belt loops. Four buttons at inside waist. Handwritten tag, "MARRIN" at left back interior pocket. C - Belt in matching fabric with loop and rectangular brass buckle.

Provenance

Oswald W. Marrin Jr. (1919-2007) was born in New York City before moving to Litchfield. Graduating from Brown University in 1942, Marrin joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and attended Officer's Class in Quantico, VA. He served as platoon commander and eventually executive officer of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. In his company was Charles R. Hickox, Jr., also of Litchfield. Marrin served in the battles of Guadalcanal, Gloucester, and Peleliu. Discharged as a major in 1946, he returned to Litchfield and ran the Marrin Real Estate Company.

Comment

On left breast, silk grosgrain ribbons, top row, left to right: Navy Presidential Unit Citation (two service stars). America Defense Service Medal; bottom row, left to right: Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (with three service stars), American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Marine Corps Reserve Medal. On left shoulder, silk and wool patch of 1st Marine Division (blue ground with white stars, red "1", and text "GUADALCANAL").