WW2 Ike Jacket
Pfc. Matt J. Klosinski - C Company, 330th Infantry Regiment
This is a beautiful 83rd Infantry Ike Jacket identified to Matt J. Klosinski who served with C Company, 330th Infantry Regiment. His name and serial number were written on the inside liner of the jacket. Pfc. Klosinski joined the 83rd as a replacement at the end of the Battle of the Bulge.
The Jacket still has the original insignia sewn to it and two immediately stand out. On the upper left shoulder his 83rd patch is cross-stitched on with brightly colored thread, giving the patch a unique appearance. Over his left pocket are two ribbons, for the Good conduct Medal and European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, as well as his Combat Infantryman's badge. His CIB is placed on a very dark blue or black velvet backing. It is unknown if this was done for a particular reason (similar to combat aircrews attaching a blue backing to their wings) or to enhance the appearance of the CIB on the uniform.
Pfc. Matt J. Klosinski
Private First Class
Matt J. Klosinski
Private First Class Matt J. Klosinski
Matt John Klosinski was born on May 4, 1919 in Evanston, Illinois. It is unknown when Matt joined the military but he was assigned to C Company, 330th Infantry Regiment on January 14, 1945 during the final days of the Battle of the Bulge. Interestingly his European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal only has one campaign star while he would have been eligible for three. Not much is known of his wartime service, only that he fought at the Elbe river and served occupation duty in Bavaria, Germany.
Matt Klosinski died on August 20, 1989 at the age of 70. At the time of his dead he was survived by his wife Ingrid E. Klosinski (1919-2002).
click on the images to enlarge
