This USAAF Captain's all set for another bombing raid on Germany, Summer of 1944...

He wears:

-A11 Flying Helmet & ANBH1 Earphones
-B8 Flying Goggles
-A10R Oxygen Mask & ANB-MC1 Microphone
-Officer's shirt w/ Capt Bars en AAF Insignia & Tie
-ANS31A Flying Suit
-B3 Flying Jacket
-A6 Flying Boots
-A9 Flying Gloves
-A4 Parachute
-RAF Observer's Type Harness (issued by the RAF)
-B4 Life Preserver
-Parachute First Aid Kit
-A11 Wrist Watch

The NCO on the left is a member of the 101st Airborne Signal Company, evidenced by his helmet markings consisting of a square with the tic at the 3 o'clock position. Under his overcoat he wears a reinforced M42 jump jacket for additional warmth. Trousers are the M43 model with added pockets and straps. By now double buckle boots have replaced the jump boots. Armament consists of a folding stock M1A1 Carbine and a captured Luger. Ammo for the carbine is carried in a white washed ammo bandoleer. An M3 trench knife is strapped to his right leg.
The Captain from HQ/501 Parachute Infantry Regiment has camouflaged his helmet with large green spots. This helmet is without doubt a replacement since it has swivel bales. He wears the standard M43 jacket with type 9 Eagle patch and has a K-ration stashed away in his upper right pocket. Rank insignia is only worn on the shirt collar and consists of Captain's bars and numbered 501 Officers crossed rifles. He has obtained a pair of Kersey Lined Trousers. Shoe Pacs keep his feet warm and dry. Equipment is basic Officers' rig with .45 pistol and M3 trench knife. A parachute first aid kit is strapped to the knife's sheath.
At their feet is a wooden chest containing M9A1 Anti Tank Rifle Grenades.

Thousands of British Made White Snow Suits were issued to units of the 1st US Army in the Belgian Ardennes during the fighting of '44-'45.

This GI carries a crate of K-Rations towards the lines.

This GI of the 29th Infantry Division is representative of the American soldier who landed on the beaches of France on D-Day, June 6th, 1944.

The Army Nurse Corps was composed of female Officers and were active in Normandy right after the initial invasion.

A 4th Infantry Division Officer is about to embark for the D-Day invasion of Utah-Beach. I have always felt the IVY guys do not receive enough recognition for what they achieved in Normandy and this display is in their honor.
This Assault Boat Team Leader wears the Gas Impregnated HBT's (boy, do they smell!!!) over the standard wool uniform and is equipped with an Assault Jacket. The gear on his pistol belt includes a Parachute First Aid Pouch and British Made .45 magazine pouch. On his back are a canteen and compass pouch. Armament consists of a .45 cal pistol and an M1 carbine. The Assault Gas Mask is worn on the chest while the M26 USN Lifebelt is slung from the British Made toggle rope. A Gas Detection Brassard is worn on the left sleeve. Insignia is limited to the Lt bar and Infantry crossed rifles on the shirt collar.

Interesting items are the M2 D-Ring helmet with Inland Liner, the Parachute First Aid Packet tied to the suspenders, the 'Rigger Made' Ammo pouch and the M3 Grease Gun.

This Captain is about to start out on a patrol in the Appenine Mountains. He's equipped with the standard US Army wooden skis and poles. His Ski Trousers are tucked into Ski Gaiters worn above the Mountain Shoes and he wears a fur trimmed Ski Parka. Headgear is the rather rare WW2 Fur Pile Cap with Rank Insignia on the front flap. Further equipment includes Trigger Finger Mittens, an M1 Carbine in its canvas scabbard and a Lightweight Gas Mask Bag worn as a small haversack.

This T5 Troop Type Parachute is a typical example of the chutes used by US Airborne Forces in the invasion of France. The harness is made of yellowish straps, while the SOA is green.
The item is displayed with a B4 Type USAAF Life Preserver and the M1942 Jump Jacket worn by Pvt Daniel J Murphy of S2 Section/Regtl HQ/501PIR. Murphy was one of Col Johnson's bodyguards and survived the war to become a Police Officer and PI. The reinforcements on the elbows and lower pockets are made of tan heavy canvas rather than the usual green/gray color. 

The Parachute First Aid Packet (Medical Department N° 9778500) was issued to every parachute wearer during WW2. This pouch did not replace the standard first aid packet issued to every GI. It was an extra piece of equipment containing a Wound Dressing, Morphine Syrette and Tourniquet, along with a note on how to use the Tourniquet and Morphine. In addition to Aircrew and Paratroopers, the packet was issued to every member of the US Assault Forces for Operation OVERLORD; the Normandy Invasion. The pouch was made of rubberized fabric that could be tied to any equipment by means of the attached straps. The pouch came in both light and green olive drab. This model was to be torn open before use and superseded a similar pouch that was closed by a zipper.

Top Row, From Left to Right:

1. M1 Fix Bale with Hawley Fiber Liner, Rayon webbing, unpainted A-washers (Fixed Chinstrap is missing)
2. M1 Fix Bale with Low Pressure Hood Rubber Liner, od3 HBT webbing, unpainted A-washers
3. M1 Fix Bale with High Pressure Westinghouse Liner, Rayon webbing, Fixed chinstrap, unpainted perpendicular washers
4. M1 Fix Bale with High Pressure Inland Liner, od3 HBT Webbing met Rayon Headband, unpainted A-washers

Bottom Row, From Left to Right:

5. M1 Fix Bale with High Pressure Westinghouse Liner, od3 HBT webbing, od painted A-washers
6. M1 Fix Bale with High Pressure Mine Safety Appliances Company Liner, od3 HBT webbing, mildew inhibited (blackened) A-washers
7. M1 Swivel Bale with High Pressure Westinghouse Liner, od3 HBT webbing, mildew inhibited (blackened) A-washers, Adjustable Nape Strap

In this image you can see 3 different types. Every original bag I have encountered has an orange rubber strip on the top flap. I do not know its purpose.... The large bag will probably hold a complete SCR-300 (Walkie-Talkie) Radio Set, although I have never tried it out. At some point someone painted his name on the large bag; sadly I do not have any history on EC Hamilton......

The Luminous Signaling Panels shown were discussed on the Trigger Time Forum and both models described by Mark Bando are shown. One has brown borders and no markings while the other is bordered in white and is very clearly marked. Use of these panels was not limited to the Varsity Operation, but they were also carried by US Paratroopers on both the Normandy and Holland jump. Don Burgett and David Webster give clear descriptions of them in their books relating their involvement in the ETO campaigns.

The M37 Demolition Charge Assembly consisted of two haversacks each containing 8 M2 or M3 Demolition Blocks. Two bags came in a wooden box. Sometimes a booster and detonating cord assembly M15 was installed and cemented in place on top of the sack which allowed for the bag to be installed on a demolition circuit rapidly.

This helmet was acquired at a show in Normandy and both helmet shell and liner bear painted rank insignia for a Lieutenant Colonel. Helmet is the fix bail, front seam type with tan OD3 straps and early brass hardware. The insignia is painted with a nice shadowing effect and the liner bears traces of some sort of tape on the dome. Maybe this officer acted as an umpire during 'War Games' while training in England. There's no white Officer's 'Aiming Stake' on the helmet's back. Lieutenant Colonels commanded Battalions during WW2.