page_title: United States Army uniforms in World War II
section_title: Combat and utility uniform
hierarchical_section_title: United States Army uniforms in World War II / Combat and utility uniform
caption_attribution_description: English: World War II Infantryman, kneeling in front of M3 Half-track, holds and sights an M1 Garand rifle. Fort Knox, Kentucky, June 1942. Français&#160;: Un fantassin américain de la Seconde Guerre Mondiale, agenouillé près d’un Halftrack M3, tenant en joue un fusil Garand. Fort Knox, Kentucky, États-Unis, juin 1942.
context_page_description: The United States Army in World War II used a variety of standard and non-standard dress and battle uniforms, which often changed depending upon the theater of war, climatic environment, and supply exigencies.
context_section_description: The United States Army during the inter-war period followed the previous model of having a standard uniform that combined elements of both the Class A (basic service uniform) and Class B (basic field uniform). By combining the uniforms, it was thought that time and money could be saved. Included in the clothing system was an olive drab (OD) wool garrison cap, olive drab wool trousers, an olive drab wool collared shirt worn with a black tie, an olive drab wool four button coat, and russet brown Type I (leather-soled) or Type II (rubber-soled) service shoes. An outer jacket or coat, either the Model 1938 "Overcoat, Mackinaw, Roll Collar" or the M1941 Field Jacket, nicknamed the "Parson jacket" after its designer, in olive drab shade No. 3 (OD3) was issued. The basic field or combat uniform for temperate or cool climates consisted of the basic wool uniform, without tie, along with a field jacket or wool overcoat, leggings, helmet and web gear.
  In the European theater of operations (ETO), the basic wool uniform saw the most use and had the greatest functionality, being able to keep the soldier warm in the winter with its insulation and relatively cool and breathable in Northern European summer weather. However, the M-1941 field jacket came in for considerable criticism; it was poorly insulated and the light cotton shell provided little protection from wind or rain. In addition, the OD3 coloring was deemed inappropriate for use in northern Europe, as it stood out against most backdrops, making soldiers more visible targets.
caption: Infantryman wearing HBT first pattern uniform
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