One of the most sought-after and hard to find pieces of USMC militaria. The classic P41 is well known, but what truly makes this stand out is the stamp on the reverse. This is a UNIS stamp - Unit Numerical Identification System. From my research, the UNIS system was adopted in 1944 following the conclusion of the Marshall Islands campaign. Each division had a different shaped stamp on their equipment, within the shaped stamp a number for the unit and above the stamp a number for rank. In this example, the 1 signifies a PFC, the 724 for Company F, 27th Marines, and the square shape for the 5th Marine Division. This gave me just enough info to confirm the name that is partially visible on the front.
Thomas R Pitlyk was born on 30th Dec 1926. Given his young age, he only joined the Marines toward the tail end of the war, enlisting on 15th Sept 1944. Muster rolls show that in January 1945 he was at the 2nd Training Battalion , Camp Lejeune NC. Muster rolls also show as of April 1 he had joined the 27th Marines, which almost certainly means he joined either just prior or during the Battle of Iwo Jima. He would be discharged in 1946, but muster roll again show him serving as a Sergeant from 1950-53 in Korea.
Condition
This is used but solid good condition. There have been a number of very well made repairs to the front of the shirt and the collar, but otherwise she's a beautiful piece
Size
- No tag but fits medium
- Pit to pit 21"
- Shoulder to shoulder 19.5"
- Shoulder to cuff 21.5"
- Collar to hem 27.5"