WW2 Officer Overcoat

Identified to Carlton G. Ely, Company M, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Infantry Division

This is a nice 83rd Infantry officer's short Overcoat M-1926. This was initially an optinal garment, wich could be worn in formation only if all attending officers had the same coat. Sadly this coat missed his belt. The overcoat still has the original 83rd Infantry Division patch on the left shoulder and First Lieutenant bars on the shoulder loops. It includes just the overcoat, the scarv and overseas cap are added for display. Inside the coat is written the laundry number E-4882, so far I have been able to match this with just one 1st Lt. who served in the 83rd Infantry Division, Carlton G. Ely #O-1304882.

1st Lt. Carlton G. Ely

First Lieutenant Carlton G. Ely

Carlton G. Ely was born on May 21, 1919, in New Jersey to Edna R. 'Haines' and Edmund Ely. Before entering the Army he was employed as an architect.

Carlton G. Ely enlistment in the National Guard (#20226797) on September 16, 1940, at Mount Holly, New Jersey. After graduating as an officer he was going overseas whit Company M, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Division in Europe. He served with the 330th as a officer in the campaigns in Normandy and Germany. For his service in WWII he was awarded among other decorations with the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the European African Middle-Eastern Campaign Medal with two campaign stars.

Carlton G. 'Mike' Ely was a lifelong resident of Delran, New Jersey. He died on February 15, 2009, 'Mike' was predeceased by his wife Dorothy Ely and daughter Carol Chwastyk.