ORIGINAL WWII 101st AIRBORNE WOODEN PLAQUE?

poulpoul · #1 (**permalink**) June 20th, 2007, 04:00 PM

Well guys, I'm a real newbee here and I wanted to start by saying that I have some WWII stuff in my collection but would love to go deeper into collecting.

I saw this incredible wooden plaque on eBay yesterday... I just had never seen anything like this before... and cannot figure it out to be a fake.

Can someone help me about the history of the unit and give me some ebay advise ?

Thanks

John,

Alpena, Michigan

http://cgi.ebay.com/WW2-101st-AIRBOR...QQcmdZViewItem

Amrit · #2 (**permalink**) June 20th, 2007, 05:03 PM

Couldn't say about authenticity but it's probably a sign for the 801st Airborne Ordnance Company

Quote:

The history of the 801st Main Support Battalion began with the activation of the 801st Airborne Ordnance Company on 2 October 1942. During World War II, the 801st established shop operations at Reading, England. On 6 June 1944, elements of the company landed in France by glider while remaining personnel arrived at Utah Beach on D-Day in the famous defense in Bastogne. The company was inactivated at Auxere, France on 30 November 1945. In June 1956, the 801st Battalion was activated at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. In the spring of 1966, a contingent of the Battalion deployed to South Vietnam in support of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. The entire Battalion deployed to Vietnam in 1967. The 801st occupied both Camp Eagle and the Phuy Bai Combat base. On 19 January 1988, the 801st was designated the 801st Maintenance Battalion (Air Assault). On 27 August 1990, the Battalion deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of the 101st Airborne Division and Operation Desert Shield. During Operation Desert Storm, the 801st participated in the largest Air Assault operation history. Elements of the 801st moved deep into Iraq in support of the 101st's assault into the Euphrates Valley. The 801st Maintenance Battalion redeployed to Fort Campbell on 11 April 1991. In October 1992, the 801st reorganized as a Main Support Battalion.

In June 1993 the battalion activated the 79th Quartermaster Detachment (Mortuary Affairs) and the 291st Quartermaster Detachment (Water). In September 1993 the 79th QM Detachment deployed to Somalia to support UN Forces in Operation Restore Hope. In November 1994 the battalion activated the 4/647th Quartermaster Detachment, (Aerial Equipment Supply). The 801st MSB had a significant increase in optempo starting in 1994 when we started supporting three Joint Readiness Training Center Rotations, a National Training Center Rotation, Division Warfighter Exercise, and emergency support to the local community during a disabling ice storm. The battalion continues this rapid pace. In October 1996, the Field Surgical Team of E, 801st MSB deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation Join Endeavor. The Battalion also currently has soldiers deployed to Bosnia, the Sinai, and Saudi Arabia.

From: http://66.102.9.104/search?q=cache:j...ient=firefox-a

From: http://www.spearhead1944.com/amerpg/amer101.htm

Quote:

801st Ordnance Company: 9 officers and 99 men.

From: http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resour...l/MITCHELL.asp

Quote:

Another major problem for the division was the constant shortage of supply and maintenance troops. The 801st Ordnance Company started for Bastogne on 19 December. Five miles from the town, the Germans ambushed them. The Allied command then diverted the unit and placed it under VIII Corps' control until 29 December.41 Therefore, the division had no direct support maintenance or evacuation capability until after the Allies broke the German encirclement.

and finally

http://www-us.flickr.com/photos/phot...7600001630666/