Established in 1942, the First Special Service Force was conceived as a multi-national special unit, built around the idea of thinking of deep snow as a fourth operational element alongside sea, air, and more conventional land. At heart, the idea was that a properly equipped combat force could turn the deep winter snows of Norway, Northern Italy, the Alps and Rumania into their own private hunting ground, running roughshod over enemy resources, denying critical assets, and drawing enemy forces away from the coasts prior to invasions. This did not pan out; only the Americans and Canadians joined in quantity, and the unit instead operated as elite mountain warriors, raiders, and light infantry. Per the included information, Robert G. Pearson was a 3 year veteran of the Nebraska National Guard when he joined the U.S. Army in 1940, training as an infantryman and radio operator, and was tapped for the SSF in 1942. He was deployed with the unit to the Aleutians, and saw action through Italy and Southern France, including action at Anzio, Mount La Difense, and the advance on Rome. Following the shutdown of the SSF he operated in the Rhine region and Central Europe with the 474th Regiment. While he achieved a rank of Technician 4th Grade during his service time, he was separated at the convenience of the government in 1945 at a rank of Private; the records clearly document advancement to T/4 by 1944, a regression to T/5 later in the year, but show no documentation of a further 2-rank reduction prior to demobilization. The garrison cap is marked for size 7 1/8 on the sweat band and on the attached tag for the Town Talk Manufacturing Company and the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot, with "8003" (the last digits of Pearson's Army Serial Number, per the records) also marked on the sweatband and the SSF's signature red, white and blue edge trim. The jacket is the traditional short-waisted "Ike" pattern, marked for size 38L, with "8003" ink stamped on the interior and a Philadelphia QMD tag inside the right interior breast pocket. The external fittings include the SSF's "arrowhead" patches ("USA/CANADA" on right shoulder, viking ship on the left) and red/white/blue fourrage cord on the right shoulder, with a set of 3-chevron Sergeant insignia on the sleeves, 3 overseas service bars on the left cuff, and a set of decorations including the Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Jump Wings, Expert Marksmanship Badge with "BAYONET" clasp, and the Good Conduct Medal. The parka is reversible, with an olive drab color on one side and white on the other, with a set of access flaps at the center of the chest, button-adjustable cuffs, and cord-adjustable hood with fur trim on the outer edge. Also included is a single dogtag made out for Pearson, and a metal ring with "944/NAPLES" engraving on the head.

The cap is fine, with some light wear and handling marks. The parka is in very good condition, showing wear and staining appropriate to age and use, with a button absent from one of the front flaps, a few small holes, and some fraying of the button threads. The jacket is fine, with light staining and wear.