Vietnam War U.S. Army OG-107 Jungle Fatigue uniform, consisting of a top and bottom, along with a set of Corcoran paratrooper boots and a pair of wool socks, all belonging to Lt. Gen. Julian J. Ewell. The uniform features directly embroidered black Lieutenant General stars, Ewell’s name, South Vietnam paratrooper wings, U.S. Army, Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) with star, and Master Parachutist badge. The sleeves are rolled, and there is a single black button added to the shoulder, likely for an aiguillette. The uniform is dated 1967 and shows the ghosting of either a MACV or IIFFV patch.
$2,550 OBO
*Please note, we are selling the field jacket separately on the website, as these two Ewell sets originally came from different collectors before becoming part of a larger collection. As we do not break apart groups nor reassemble them, and given that General Officers often had multiple fatigue uniforms, we have chosen to keep the sets separate.
Lieutenant General Julian Johnson Ewell was a highly decorated officer in the U.S. Army, whose military career spanned from World War II to the Vietnam War. Born in 1915, Ewell graduated from West Point in 1939 and served with distinction during World War II as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, earning a Distinguished Service Cross and two Silver Stars. Following the war, he held various command and staff positions during the Korean War and Cold War, eventually rising to the rank of lieutenant general.
In Vietnam, Lieutenant General Julian J. Ewell took command of the 9th Infantry Division from 1968 to 1969 during the height of U.S. involvement in the war. His most notable operation during this period was Operation Speedy Express, a campaign in the Mekong Delta aimed at eliminating Viet Cong forces. The operation was deemed successful in significantly reducing enemy activity, with Ewell earning a reputation for his aggressive tactics and high body counts. However, the operation later became highly controversial due to reports of civilian casualties, raising questions about the rules of engagement and proportionality in warfare. Critics accused Ewell of emphasizing enemy body counts over strategic objectives, leading to allegations of excessive force and civilian harm. While the U.S. military initially lauded the success of the operation, investigations into civilian deaths created a lasting debate over Ewell’s command methods.
Following his tenure with the 9th Infantry Division, Ewell was promoted and appointed commander of II Field Force, Vietnam, one of the largest U.S. combat commands in the war. As commander from 1969 to 1970, he oversaw a wide array of operations in the III Corps Tactical Zone, a region surrounding Saigon that was pivotal to U.S. and South Vietnamese efforts to maintain control. His leadership was marked by a continued focus on aggressive tactics, aiming to dismantle Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army strongholds. After his time with II Field Force, Ewell was promoted to deputy commander of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), where he played a key role in overseeing U.S. operations in the final stages of the conflict before American forces began to withdraw. Ewell retired from the Army in 1973 as a Lieutenant General.
Distinguished Service Cross:
July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Julian Johnson Ewell (ASN: 0-21791), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on the night of 18 - 19 December 1944, at Bastogne, Belgium. In the darkness of 18 - 19 December 1944, Colonel Ewell's regiment was the first unit of the 101st Airborne Division to reach the vicinity of Bastogne, Belgium, then under attack by strong enemy forces. While his regiment assembled, Lieutenant Colonel Ewell went forward alone to Bastogne to obtain first hand enemy information. During the night of 18 - 19 December 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Ewell made a personal reconnaissance amid intermingled friendly and hostile troops and on 19 December, by his heroic and fearless leadership of his troops, contributed materially to the defeat of enemy efforts to prostrate Bastogne. On 3 January 1945, when an enemy attack threatened to blunt the impetus of the regimental offensive, Lieutenant Colonel Ewell personally lead a counterattack which stopped the enemy and made possible the continued offensive action of his regiment. Throughout the action at Bastogne, the heroic and fearless personal leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Ewell were a source of inspiration to the troops he commanded. His intrepid actions, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 101st Airborne Division, and the United States Army.
Silver Star:
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Julian Johnson Ewell (ASN: 0-21791), United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy as Commanding Officer, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, during World War II.
Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Julian Johnson Ewell (ASN: 0-21791), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy as Commanding Officer, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, during World War II.