Cover Page

Preface

Introduction

The Developing Years

Photofile

Bibliography

Notes

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

National Park Service Uniforms The Developing Years 1932-1970	Number 5
The Developing Years (continued)

Unfortunately, the Japanese made all of these suggestions academic at Pearl Harbor. One of the first restrictions brought about by the war was General Conservation Order M-73-a, effective March 30, 1942. This order was implemented "To conserve the supply of wool cloth entering into the production of Men's and Boys' clothing," thereby maintaining an adequate supply of wool for military uniforms. This effected all non-military clothing production.

Upon being informed of this restriction, Uniform Committee Chairman Preston wrote to Fechheimer Brothers, the current uniform supplier asking how this new order would effect the Park Service uniforms and how much uniform material they had on hand.

In his reply, Mr. A. S. Holtman, secretary of Fechheimer, stated that only uniform parts that were made of wool would be effected. Items such as jackets, breeches and trousers were exempt, although the cuffs on the trousers must be eliminated. Coats could not have patch pockets and the backs had to be plain without half-belt, pleats or vent. Coats could not be ordered with two pair of trousers, although they could be ordered with one pair of breeches and one pair of trousers. The belt was the only part of the topcoat effected.

Holtman further stated that at present Fechheimer Brothers had a good supply of Park Service material, but, when that ran out the Service would need to acquire a "Priority" to secure woolen fabrics from the mills. So far "none of the Government Services seem to be able to get this", although he had received "unofficial information" that morning that on "April 5 an amendment might be issued to apply against Order M-73-a, and that it might include uniforms for Police, Firemen and Government Services as essential Defense uniforms." He suggested that the Service apply for this "essential" status.

Uniform. Short jacket & breeches. Dist. Ranger Harold Ratcliff, 1938. Ratcliff is wearing the uniform, sans hat, prescribed for ranger wear during World War II. NPSHPC-ROMO#11-5-1-8

Holtman followed up this letter with another one on March 28, 1942, informing Preston that "any company, group, or service, such as defense plants, police, firemen, etc., who can secure a Priority Certificate of A-10 or better, will not be affected by General Conservation Order M-73-a." [23]

In the meantime, Preston had recommended that in view of the coat restrictions, the ski jacket be adopted as the official uniform coat for the foreseeable future and that hot areas not wear a coat in the summertime. Those with standard coats would still be able to wear them if so desired.

The Directors office concurred with Preston's suggestion that "as soon as possible the Director issue instructions that uniformed personnel entering on duty for the first time, or purchasing new equipment should purchase a fatigue jacket instead of the present regulation blouse or coat". In areas where weather conditions permitted, superintendents could authorize employees to omit wearing of the blouse or jacket, providing all uniformed personnel in each district or at each station are dressed alike.

Another difficulty was in procuring boots. Trousers and shoes, which were easier to obtain, could overcome this. "I do not believe that we as individuals or as an organization should approach the War Production Board regarding priorities on uniform materials as suggested by the Fechheimer Company, Associate Director Tolson wrote. "We can make out adequately with the items available." [24]

Acting upon a memorandum sent out by Tolson on June 26, 1942, suggesting that the uniform committee's study of uniforms be "deferred during the war period", Uniform Committee Chairman Preston thanked the committee for their "genuine interest" in the study and thought that "Following the war the Committee should again become active inasmuch as many new ideas regarding uniforms will develop during the war years." [25]

Ex-FOREST RANGERS SERVE WITH COAST GUARD MUNITIONS DETAILS. Former forest(sic) rangers in national parks, these Coast Guard officers have completed a course in handling, storing and loading of explosives at Washington, D.C, and will be assigned to duty at U.S. ports, where the Coast Guard directs loading of munitions for shipment to the fighting fronts. Left to right: Lieutenants (j.g.) Frank F. Kowski, William A. Nyquist and Wayne B. Alcorn, of YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK; Albert D. Rose, chief boatswain, of MT. RANIER(sic) NATIONAL PARK, and Carl E. Jepson, chief boatswain, of GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK. Although this image has nothing to do with NPS uniforms, it has been included here to show some of the NPS personnel that did their bit to end World War II so they could get back to the really important things, like "rangering." Courtesy of Public Relations Division, U.S. Coast Guard

Thus the National Park Service Uniform Committee officially closed shop for the duration, as far as any style changes went. There were still problems to be ironed out that the Committee had to address, such as what type of material would make a satisfactory replacement for that used in making the uniform and where it could be obtained. Different cotton fabrics were checked out, but to no avail.

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