Description:
DeLozier Auctions is profoundly honored to present an extraordinarily rare, ironclad piece of American military history: an original World War II M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket and Trousers uniform set. This poignant grouping belongs to a documented hero of the "Greatest Generation"—Staff Sergeant Walter Berton Taylor of the legendary 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), initially attached to the 82nd Airborne Division.
The Provenance & Alphanumeric Proof:
The uniform features the authentic, stamped military laundry mark "T-7016"—the definitive physical connection linking this uniform to SSgt. Taylor. His official Army Serial Number was 32167016. For serious militaria collectors, this irreplaceable provenance elevates the uniform from a mere artifact to a deeply personal monument of wartime sacrifice.
A Hero’s Journey & The Ultimate Sacrifice:
Born in Houston, Delaware, Walter B. Taylor answered his country's call by enlisting in the U.S. Army on August 6, 1941. On the fateful night of June 5–6, 1944, SSgt. Taylor boarded a C-47 Troop Transport plane (Tail #42-23300, Chalk #9), leaping into the dark, chaotic, flak-filled skies over Normandy, France, during Operation Neptune.
Tasked with securing vital drop zones near the Merderet River, the 507th PIR engaged in some of the most brutal, close-quarters combat of the entire European theater. Just twelve days into the invasion, on June 18, 1944, 23-year-old SSgt. Taylor was Killed in Action near the embattled commune of Amfreville, France.
An Exceptional Collector’s Opportunity:
SSgt. Taylor’s supreme sacrifice earned him the Purple Heart, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, and a permanent place of honor on the memorial rolls at the famed Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mère-Église.
Original, named WWII Airborne uniform sets are the absolute "holy grail" of 20th-century military collecting—even more so when definitively traced to a D-Day combat casualty from a prestigious regiment like the 507th PIR. This uniform stands as a sacred, tangible reminder of the price paid for freedom.
- Accompaniments: KIA Newspaper Article Cutout.
Do not miss the chance to anchor your collection with a piece of true American heroism!!
Pickup: Thursday, December 10th
Personal Property: A 15% Buyer’s Premium will be added to each successful bid. Everything is sold AS-IS. No refunds, no exceptions.
NO CHECKS ACCEPTED UNLESS YOU ARE KNOWN BY US, and checks must be drawn from a local bank. If you plan to pay by check or cash, you must notify us before 5:00 PM on the day the auction ends. Cash is always accepted, but prior notice is required. Otherwise, payment must be made by the credit card on file used to register for the auction.
Payment must be made in full BEFORE items are removed from the premises.
This auction uses an auto-extend feature. Bidding on a lot will automatically extend by 5 minutes if a bid is placed within the final 5 minutes of that lot’s scheduled closing time. This process will continue until no additional bids are placed during the final 5 minutes, at which point the lot will close. This closely mimics a live sale.
There is also a staggered closing on personal property items.
If you don’t understand the terms of the auction, call us at 865-681-7797 and we can explain them to you. If you don’t agree with the terms or don’t trust the system, THEN DON’T BID! It’s that simple.
Items not picked up from the auction after the scheduled pickup times are subject to forfeiture unless prior arrangements are made.
Thank you, and Happy Bidding!!
