US Army Uniform: Korean War [Hardcover]

Shelby Stanton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1992

With his exhaustive research, author Shelby Stanton pieced together the history of the development and distribution of U.S. Army clothing and equipment during the Korean War. The vast differences in temperature and climate in Korea presented Army quartermasters with a unique challenge. Complete with many previously unpublished photos and comprehensive coverage of both summer and winter uniforms as well as equipment and insignia, military history enthusiasts and collectors will find this authoritative book an invaluable resource.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Fighting a war in distant Korea's harsh climate challenged the U.S. Army's ability to provide appropriate clothing for its men in the field. Stanton's definitive study of the campaign uniforms provides detailed documentation of the wide variety of solutions, both expedient and official, adopted in response to chronic shortages of suitable clothing and equipment. Of particular interest are the many illustrations and wartime photographs that make this book a valuable resource for collectors and modelers as well as students of the conflict. Although not an essential purchase for most libraries, Stanton's work will become the standard reference on this subject and should be acquired where needed.
- Lawrence E. Ellis, Newberry Coll. Lib., S.C.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Shelby Stanton is an internationally known expert on the modern U.S. Army. In addition to the other books in the U.S. Army Uniforms series (see page 127) he has also written Rangers at War: Combat Recon in Vietnam, Green Berets at War: U.S. Army Special Forces in Southeast Asia 1956-1975, and The First Cav in Vietnam: The Anatomy of a Division. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 243 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; 1 edition (November 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811718190
• ISBN-13: 978-0811718196
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,742,030 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uniform Collector, April 19, 2010

By 

Roberto Patrignani "Rpatrignani" (Over There Italian war front) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: US Army Uniform: Korean War (Hardcover)

HY if you need a basic info about the equipment of teh GI duringthe Korean war this is a book you cannot miss,
anyhow gives a geeral overwiev and cannot be considered as an extreem detailed guide. While can provide an interesting over all guide.

5.0 out of 5 stars A 5-STAR WINNER!, February 5, 2010

By 

James B. Walker "Strafer" (Dayton, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: US Army Uniform: Korean War (Hardcover)

Finally --- a book dedicated to the uniforms worn by U.S. Army troops during the Korean War (1950-53)! Shelby Stanton's detailed masterpiece is superbly researched, well-written, and filled with interesting photos. Virtually every item of clothing is covered, from long johns to heavy parkas. Also described are the Army's headgear, footwear, insignia, and some personal equipment. WAC (Women's Army Corps) uniforms are also described in detail. This reviewer found only a couple minor errors, which in no way detract from the overall high quality of the book. For instance, ENtrenching tools are referred to as INtrenching tools. And the belt pouch for carrying two .30-caliber M1 Carbine magazines is called a "rifle/carbine ammunition pocket", even though it was not designed to hold the longer .30-06 rifle ammo. These small glitchs aside, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the apparel worn by our Army personnel during the Korean War.

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Developmental Study, October 6, 2000

By 

El Cutachero (MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: US Army Uniform: Korean War (Hardcover)

This is a book that will stand forever as a developmental history. Having just reviewed the other three works in this set, I am surprised that no one has thought themselves competent to review this one. Competence or its lack does not seem to deter some reviewers. :) Mine comes from two sources, one I have been collecting and studying this materiel since I was a boy. Second, I was there in the fifties. Went in in 1956, just three years after the Korean War was over, so the ranks of NCOs and officers were full of vets. Much of the service slang of the time such as "Chogy" which means hustle, hustle, quick step, came from that conflict.
But this is not a combat history, it is an account of the US Army Quartermaster Corps reaction to the combat conditions in the Cold-Wet Climate and sub arctic conditions of Korea, first, and northern Europe secondly. Germany has a miserable winter climate.
It is much easier to maintain one's health in very cold dry conditions in the arctic and subarctic than to be in cold freeze thaw daily conditions with snow and mud mixed. In Korea when continental cold waves came in these cold dry conditions ocurred but the general effect of the sea surrounding moderated it from excruciating pain to just plain miserably nasty. And in the Korean Summer the continental climate baked you.
So all of this is thoroughly discussed herein. This is not a picture book of what the soldier looked like in the field. See the many by Johnathan Gawne and Philip J. Langelier for that sort of thing. I have reviewed most of them so look them up.
Stanton was a serving officer in Vietnam and when he did his research he had access to the working files at the Army's Natick Laboratory in Masachusetts. He has used all the specifications and drawings that were published. Plus many, many official and personal photographs. In combination with his other works he has covered everything from 1939 to 1975. His complete ouevre includes WW II, Korea, Cold War, and Vietnam. I wish he would continue with the Modern Volunteer Army from 1975 on.