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STATESIDE (AT LONG LAST!)

(Barger leaning on a 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster sedan, with a jump tower in the background lends credence to the theory that he was at Benning after the war.  He may have been assigned here as a jump instructor.)

 

508th Association
membership document signed by O.B. Hill attests to the fact that Roy was a member of the post WW-II organization.

Jump Wings
worn by Roy Barger and recently acquired by  Kim Fields who earlier provided us with all the photos shown in the Barger Album.  These coveted parachutist devices were sometime called "snow cones" because of their shape.  We assume that the name was never used while a parachutist was within earshot.
   The top device shows the star for Barger's Normandy jump.  He was apparently taken prisoner during that campaign and sat out the war after that..
   The lower set of wings is that of a Master Parachutist, an achievement that has some significant milestones, as follows:

Master Parachutist Badge

To be eligible for the Master Parachutist Badge, an individual must have been rated excellent in character and efficiency and have met the following requirements:

1. Participated in a minimum of 65 jumps to include twenty-five jumps with combat equipment to consist of normal TOE equipment, including individual weapon carried by the individual in combat whether the jump was in actual or simulated combat. In cases of simulated combat the equipment will include water rations (actual or dummy), ammunition (actual or dummy), and other essential items necessary to sustain an individual in combat. Four night jumps must also be made during the hours of darkness (regardless of the time of day with respect to sunset) one of which will be as jumpmaster of a stick. Five mass tactical jumps must be made which culminate in an airborne assault problem with a unit equivalent to a battalion or larger; a separate company/battery; or an organic staff of regimental size or larger. The individual must fill a position commensurate with their rank or grade during the problem.

2. Either graduated from the Jumpmaster Course of the Airborne Department of the Infantry School or the Jumpmaster School of a separate airborne battalion or larger airborne unit, or infantry divisions and separate infantry brigades containing organic airborne elements, to include the U.S. Army Alaska Jumpmaster Course, or served as jumpmaster on one or more combat jumps or as jumpmaster on 33 non-combat jumps.

3. Have served on jump status with an airborne unit or other organization authorized parachutists for a total of 36 months (may be non-consecutive).