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Garment 1: US Army Khaki Service Shirt
Rank: Sergeant (E-5) — Denoted by the golden-yellow and green sleeve chevrons.
Current Unit (Left Sleeve): 4th Armored Division ("Name Enough")
Historical Context: Stationed in West Germany during the late 1950s and 1960s to protect the Fulda Gap against a potential Soviet invasion during the height of the Cold War.
Combat Service Unit (Right Sleeve): 1st Infantry Division ("The Big Red One")
Historical Context: Worn on the right shoulder to indicate prior wartime combat service (likely during the Korean War or late WWII) before his assignment to the 4th Armored Division.
Collar Identification: Features a blue celluloid/plastic stiffener backing under the collar, historically used to anchor a Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) or infantry accent cord.
Provenance Markings: Stamped inside the collar with the service number identifier 463908 and the standard military laundry mark S-3908 ("S" for Smith, followed by the last four digits of his service tracking number).
Garment 2: US Army Class A/B Uniform Trousers
Pattern/Shade: AG-344 (Army Green 344) Wool/Polyester Tropical Trousers.
Era: Mid-to-late 1950s / early 1960s ("Elvis-era" issue prior to the Vietnam War).
Construction Details: Heavy-duty brass zipper fly with a high-quality, durable inner cream-colored cotton waistband lining.
Size Label: Short / Waist: 33" / Inseam: 32"
Federal Stock Data (From Original White Tag): * Stock Number: 8405-286-5096 (FSC 8405 denotes Men's Outerwear).
Provenance Markings: Hand-written S-3908 laundry mark along the inner waistband, perfectly matching the khaki shirt.
The Soldier's Story (SGT Harold E. "Gene" Smith)
This piece is part of a verified career uniform grouping belonging to Sergeant Harold E. "Gene" Smith (Laundry Mark S-3908) out of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Sgt. Smith was a dedicated career soldier whose service uniquely spanned three of the most critical eras in modern military history: World War II, the Korean War, and the 1961 Berlin Crisis, where he was stationed in West Germany with the 4th Armored Division. Check my other listings for more pieces from this exact single-soldier collection.
This uniform tells the story of a classic mid-century American citizen-soldier. Originally a combat veteran with the legendary 1st Infantry Division, Harold Smith returned home to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where he built a career as a letter carrier for the Fort Smith Main Post Office and maintained his enlistment in the Arkansas National Guard. He had a long standing career in the military, serving wi
In October 1961, during the high-stakes Berlin Crisis (the building of the Berlin Wall), President John F. Kennedy mobilized the National Guard. SGT Smith was activated out of Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and shipped to West Germany to reinforce the 4th Armored Division. He wore this exact uniform while standing watch on the borders of the Iron Curtain. After the crisis abated, he returned home to Sebastian County, packed his Army dress uniform away, and returned to his route delivering mail to the citizens of Fort Smith.
Condition Note: Excellent vintage condition, retaining all original period-sewn insignia, original military supply tags, and clear, authentic veteran laundry ink stamps. Light staining on the front.
