1997 - Helmet of the 9th Infantry Division, 39th Infantry Regiment. High-pressure composite helmet, manufactured by Firestone 94. Canvas liner complete with sweatband. Leather chin strap present but broken. Neck strap missing. Tightening cord present. Remnants of illegible name markings inside the liner. Some missing sections along the edges. 70% of the original OD paint remains. Double white paint markings reading “AAAO” on the sides of the liner. AAAO stands for “Anything, Anytime, Anywhere, Bar Nothing.” During World War II, the 39th U.S. Infantry Regiment fought as part of the 9th Infantry Division. Nicknamed the Fighting Falcons, its men were among the first American combat troops deployed on foreign soil when they took part, in November 1942, in the Allied landing on the beaches of Algiers as part of Operation Torch. During the Sicilian campaign in 1943, the regiment came under the command of Colonel Harry A. “Paddy” Flint, an officer as energetic as he was eccentric, who left a profound mark on his unit’s identity. He gave it the motto “Anything, Anywhere, Anytime, Bar Nothing,” generally abbreviated as AAAO. The following year, the 39th was engaged in the liberation of Western Europe. It landed at Utah Beach on June 10, 1944—four days after the Normandy landings—along with other units sent to reinforce the forces already on the continent. It then took part in the difficult battles fought across the bocage and the French countryside. Alongside the 47th Infantry Regiment, it notably participated in the capture of Roetgen, one of the first German towns conquered by American forces during their advance into the Reich. During the final months of the war, the 39th took part in the fierce fighting of the Battle of the Bulge, then helped secure the Remagen bridgehead over the Rhine. It then continued its advance through Germany, accompanying the Allied forces’ advance until the final collapse of German resistance in the spring of 1945. Please note some wear and patina on the item. Condition II+. 9th Infantry Division, 39th Infantry Regiment liner. High-pressure composite liner manufactured by Firestone 94. Complete web suspension with its sweatband. Leather chinstrap present but broken. Nape strap missing. Drawstring present. Remnants of illegible name markings inside the liner. Some damage around the edges. Approximately 70% of the original OD paint remains. Double AAAO marking in white paint on the sides of the liner. AAAO stands for Anything, Anytime, Anywhere, Bar Nothing. During World War II, the U.S. 39th Infantry Regiment fought as part of the 9th Infantry Division. Nicknamed the Fighting Falcons, its men were among the first American combat troops deployed on foreign soil when they took part in the Allied landings on the beaches of Algiers in November 1942 during Operation Torch. During the Sicily campaign in 1943, the regiment came under the command of Colonel Harry A. Paddy Flint, an energetic and eccentric officer who profoundly shaped the identity of his unit. He gave it the motto “Anything, Anywhere, Anytime, Bar Nothing,” generally abbreviated as AAAO. The following year, the 39th took part in the liberation of Western Europe. It landed at Utah Beach on June 10, 1944—four days after the Normandy landings—along with other units sent to reinforce the forces already on the continent. It subsequently took part in the difficult fighting through the bocage and the French countryside. Alongside the 47th Infantry Regiment, it notably participated in the capture of Roetgen, one of the first German towns taken by American forces during their advance into the Reich. During the final months of the war, the 39th took part in the fierce fighting of the Battle of the Bulge and later helped secure the Remagen bridgehead on the Rhine. It then continued its advance through Germany, accompanying the Allied advance until the final collapse of German resistance in the spring of 1945. The piece shows some wear and patina. Condition II+.