For years, sports leagues like Major League Baseball and the National Football League have captivated fans with “throwback” games, showcasing uniforms from their franchises’ early days. Now, the United States Army is taking a page from this playbook, finalizing a decision to reinstate a throwback uniform that pays tribute to the iconic Ww11 Army Uniform of World War II – the officer’s winter service uniform affectionately known as “pinks and greens.”
The original WW11 army uniform for officers during the Second World War was a distinctive ensemble. It featured a dark olive-drab gabardine wool coat, complete with a sewn-on cloth belt, forming the “greens” component. This was paired with light-shade drab trousers, the “pinks,” creating a subtle yet recognizable contrast. Completing the look were Army russet brown service shoes and the brim of the service cap. In contrast, enlisted personnel of the era wore a less elaborate WW11 army uniform, with both their trousers and service coat in a medium olive-drab shade.
Alt text: A black and white photograph showcasing a WWII US Army officer in the iconic pinks and greens uniform, standing in a formal pose. This WW11 army uniform represents a significant era in military history.
This revived version of the “pinks and greens” WW11 army uniform will be accessible to soldiers of all ranks. It is intended to serve a similar purpose to the dress green uniform, which was retired in 2015. The current dress-blue uniform will then transition to an optional uniform, reserved for more formal occasions. Prototypes of the new uniform, as seen in photos online, demonstrate a striking resemblance to the original WW11 army uniform.
The final iteration of the WW11 army uniform will incorporate nuances and variations that existed during World War II. One notable example is the “crusher cap.” Flight crews in WWII were permitted to remove the stiffener from their service cap to comfortably wear headphones. This modification gave the cap a distinctive “crushed” appearance, leading airmen to dub it the “crusher cap.” It quickly evolved into a sought-after symbol of status among aircrews, as recognizable as their pilot’s wings and leather flight jackets. The prototype service cap for the new WW11 army uniform appears to be styled in this iconic “crusher” fashion.
Alt text: Close-up image of a US Army “crusher cap”, a distinctive element of the WW11 army uniform, showing its soft, pliable form and historical significance among WWII aircrews.
According to a report by Matthew Cox at Military.com, the Army is also exploring the possibility of offering soldiers the option to purchase a WWII-style leather flight jacket and a shorter “Ike” service jacket as supplemental uniform items. Sergeant Major of the Army Daniel Dailey has stated that the adoption of this new WW11 army uniform is a deliberate effort by the Army to remind the American public of a period when pride in the US Army was exceptionally high.
This rationale resonates deeply. The US Marine Corps has maintained its connection to its WWII service uniforms with minimal alterations, arguably avoiding the identity challenges faced by other service branches. By the end of August 1945, the US Army had grown to over eight million personnel and had achieved victory in some of the most extensive and brutal campaigns in history. Why, then, would one deviate from a uniform so strongly associated with such a monumental period? It would be akin to the New York Yankees abandoning their iconic pinstripes.
Interestingly, a 1954 publication of The Quartermaster Review reveals that the original shift from the WWII olive-drab “Class A” WW11 army uniform to the dress green service uniform was driven by a massive surplus of WWII uniforms. These surplus uniforms were being used as inexpensive work clothing by laborers and even as prison uniforms. The Army’s adoption of the dress green uniform was, in part, an effort to restore a sense of pride and distinction within the ranks of the post-WWII Army.
Now, seventy-five years after the conclusion of World War II, the era of surplus WW11 army uniform items being repurposed by laborers and inmates is long gone. Credit is due to Sergeant Major of the Army Dailey and Chief of Staff General Mark Milley for their initiative in bringing back this classic WW11 army uniform. This revival is more than just a uniform change; it’s a powerful symbol of heritage and a nod to a defining chapter in US Army history.
