This is the first of eight cases containing Named WWII Patches from Chester County, Pennsylvania and its surrounding areas. They were originally collected and displayed by the Himelright Dry Cleaners during and after WWII. GIs or their family would have their Military Uniform dry cleaned for free in exchange for a patch.
We have been entrusted with this collection by its previous caretaker, Anthony Polito of West Chester. We intend to research each service member and share their stories for future generations.
I have copied the labels that the cases came with below, including mis-spellings. I will add corrections so searches can be done .
ROW 1:
1st. SGT. W.E. FITZGERALD CAMP GORDON GA. 10th Armored Division
T/SGT. DAWSON MORRISON FIELD FLA. Army Air Force
PVT. J.H.DECHMAN CAMP VAN DORN MISS. 99th Infantry Division
LT. JOHN H. ZELL CAMP MC COY WIS. 2nd Army
LT. B CAT FORT KNOX KY. 8th Army Air Force
T/SGT. J. HIMELRIGHT SOMEWHERE IN ENGLANG 8th Armored Division
ROW 2:
LT E.W. DICKS SOMEWHERE IN BRAZIL Army Service Forces
SGT.G.V. TERRY CAMP RICHIE MYD. 1st Corps
PVT. W.H. LINDSAY FORT CRD CAL. 4th Army
SGT. E TIGNOR DOUGLAS ARIZONA Army Air Force
PVT. W. PETERS FLUSHING LONG ISLAND AA Command Central
COL. J.M. REILLY WEST CHESTER, PA 3rd Service Command
ROW 3:
CPL. J.M. HERSHEY GUADAL CANAL U.S.M.C. 1st Marine Division
PVT. DAN FA CCIOLLI CAMP CLAYBORNE IA. 103rd Infantry Division
CPL. FRED SURRINER SOME WHERE IN ITLAY 1st Infantry Division
LT. JOHN T. GROFF CAMP FANNIN TEXAS IRTC Infantry Replacement Training Center
SGT. JOHN HIMELRIGHT LAKE CHARLES LA. Army Air Force
P.F.C. W.F. BARRY U.OF. PA. PHILA. PA. Specialized Training Program
ROW 4:
? Army Alaska Defense Command
PVT. W.S. POWELL CAMP SHELBY MISS. 69th Infantry Division
T/SGT. WM. SCUARTZ LANGLEY FIELD VA. Army Air Force
PVT. B.G. JONES SOME WHERE IN SICILY 11th Airborne Division
PVT. P.R. CROSBY CAMP PICKET VA. 77th Infantry Division
PVT. DAVID ? LEWIS FORT MEADE MD. IRTC Infantry Replacement Training Center
ROW 5:
? 11th Armored Division
P.F.C. DAK FACCIOLLI CAMP SHELBY MISS. 31st Infantry Division
PVT. L. FADDIS AMARILLO TEXAS Army Air Force
COL. P.R. DWYER UMNAK ALASKA 6th Infantry Division
? Army Service Forces
PVT. W.F. DEENEY FORT MONROE LA. 1st Army Artillery