| U.S. Army Engineer 1st Allied Airborne Army Captain George G. Wilson |
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| The First Allied Airborne Army was activated on August 2, 1944. OPERATION MARKET GARDEN The first and most famous combat operation of the First Allied Airborne Army, September 17th 1944, was Operation Market Garden during which the British 1st, US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 1st Polish Parachute Brigade, dropped in the Netherlands as part of a plan to outflank the Siegfried Line and cross the Rhine into Germany. BATTLE OF THE BULGE Elements of the Airborne Army (US 82nd and 101st Divisions, British 6th Division) took part in the Battle of the Bulge although without aerial delivery. OPERATION VARSITY The next and final airborne operation conducted by the First Allied Airborne Army was Operation Varsity, during which the British 6th and the US 17th Airborne Divisions landed in Germany, helping to secure the crossing of the Rhine. |
| Captain Wilson's Dark Wool Elastique Officer Service Coat, above photo. |
| Awards and insignia, above left photo. 1st Allied Airborne Army patch hand sewn on the left sleeve. This patch appears to be English made - machine sewn thread on felt. Paratrooper Qualification Badge, pin back, made by J.R.GAUNT LONDON Captain Bars, pin back, marked STERLING Engineer Officer Insignia, clutch back, made by A.E.CO. UTICA NY U.S. Officer Insignia, clutch back, marked 121 Cloth Ribbons (sewn directly to the uniform): American Defense Medal American Campaign Medal European - African - Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 3 Campaign Stars WWII Victory Medal Army of Occupation Medal Overseas stripes, machine sewn bullion thread, hand sewn to lower left sleeve Engineer Buttons, above right photo. All of the buttons sewn to Captain Wilson's jacket are Engineer Buttons made by the SUPERIOR QUALITY company. Each button has the word "ESSAYONS" in a scroll clutched by an eagle above a fortress. The Engineer motto "Essayons" comes from their French heritage which means "Let us try". |
| Taylor labels, above photos. This uniform was made by the KAHN TAILORING CO. of INDIANAPOLIS Indiana. The ownership tag states that this uniform was purchased at the Post Exchange in June 1942. |
| The service history of Captain George B. Wilson is not currently known. |
| HISTORY OF THE 1ST ALLIED AIRBORNE ARMY |