jacket, uniform
Catalog Number
1998.30.3a
Description
Jacket of very dark green polyester/wool hard weave; shoulders, sleeves and each side in front are lined with green nylon; four gold metal shank buttons with army insignias close the front, smaller buttons secure four breast and side pockets; two of the smaller buttons are on the sewn-on epaulets; back of jacket is plain, with a lined vent slit; right shoulder is decorated with the 32nd Division red arrow patch; cuff has a series of seven embroidered gold stripes, each representing six months service in combat zone overseas; each cuff has a 3/4" wide black braid; left sleeve has a 5th Army red, white and blue patch outlining a minaret; each epaulet has a silver winged colonel's insignia eagle; a gold U.S. pin is on both collars; each lapel has a silver star overlaid with a gold eagle and shield indicating a member of the General Staff; left chest is heavily decorated with a blue and silver rifle pin for Combat Infantry; below this are 5 bars with 15 commendations in the same sequence as the decorations on the preceding uniform; under this is pinned the Senior Parachutist badge; right pocket has a plastic name badge (white lettering on black background) with "Ver Hey" on ; above name badge is a dark blue rectangular Presidential Unit Citation in gold frame, and a red, white & blue rectangular Philippine Presidential Unit Citation in a gold frame; green uniform.
History
William Jacob Ver Hey Sr. was born in Michigan on 6/23/1919 to Nick and Hattie Ver Hey. The large family lived at 34 E 26th St. William graduated from Holland High School in 1939. He enlisted with the National Guard in April of 1941. He was a member of Company D, 126th Infantry. William then enlisted in the Army on April 2, 1951. William was married to Louise Claude Rove. They had 3 children; Margaret Jane (1952-54), Nicholas Charles (1953-2007) and William Jacob, Jr. (1955-56). William was released from the Army on August 23, 1974. William earned many awards during his time of service to our country. William died on December 4, 1998.
Gift of
Ver Hey, Louise
