The basic Infantry GI wore a wool shirt, M41 Parsons Jacket, M1937 wool trousers, boots with leggings and an M1 helmet.

Webbing belts varied depending on the weapon carried, but generally an M1928 'Doughboy Pack' served as a haversack.

Which Unit?

As is typical of many armies, individual units often had variations on a theme. For example, the 29th Infantry Division were well known for painting the unit`s insignia on the front of their helmets.

Specialist units, like Signalmen or Combat Engineers, and of course Medics also had painted indication marks on their helmets.

A little research will enable you to get the correct look for the unit that you`re portraying.

M41 Parsons jacket

GIs were issued with the M41 'Parsons jacket',

A reproduction M41 jacket costs around £40, while a repro trankers jacket costs around £60.

Wool 1937 pattern trousers were generally worn, although a suitable alternative are the 'Herringbone Twill' (HBT) trousers, as these are considerably cheaper.

The standard 'Roughout' boot was worn with leg gaiters, although some photos show Rangers wearing Corcoran Jump Boots. ( see also D-Day US Paratrooper page)

Helmets and other bits

Weapons and helmets were standard Government Issue, although an orange diamond was painted on the rear of the M1 helmet, with the number of the Ranger unit stencilled onto this in black.

For D-Day this was either '2' ( for 2nd Rangers) or '5' (for 5th Rangers). It is possible to buy helmets with this pre-stencilled.

Variations on this theme

The basic GI uniform as described on this page forms the

Armoured Infantry units

although the 'tankers jacket', which was issued to tank crews, was often acquired.

This type of jacket was worn by Tech Sgt Mike Horath in Saving Private Ryan.

The tankers jacket is warmer than the Parsons jacket, so when worn with the Assault Vest it can get quiet uncomfortable in warm weather.

US Glider Pilots & Glider Infantry

Glider Infantry Regiments (GIR) were generally equipped the same as regular infantry, except that the unit insignia was that of an Airborne unit.

Glider Pilots were similarly equipped, although being officers they carried M1936 Musette Bags. They were also Airforce, rather than Army, so had 8th USAAF insignia on their jackets and Airforce insignia on their collars.

See more about the US Glider programme.....

GIs and Glider Pilots shipping back to England from the