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John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse

 Collection
Identifier: Textile-1993-009

Scope and Content

This cadet blouse is navy blue with black lining, and sleeves lined with off white. It is possibly made of wool and cotton. The blouse has a black stripe trim with plastic black buttons on the right, and hooks on the left. There are two gold pins on the collar of the blouse. One pin has "VPI" with guns crossing above. The other pin has "ROTC" with flames between "RO" and "TC." There is a five pointed star on the lower right sleeve and three thin black stripes above, a wide black stripe on lower sleeve. Labels on inside of blouse state "Mr. John E. McDonald," "Date {34}-{31?}-{39}," and numbers "27 1/2, 18 1/2." The coat was manufactured by Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Dept. V.E. Kelsey, Supt. The condition is fair, some stains, missing top hook, worn on back.

Dates

  • c.1920s

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication.

Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Historical

John E. McDonald was part of the class of 1927 and possibly Private Company E. The five pointed star on the sleeve may be a gold bullion, which would signify VPI had the status of "distinguished military college" by the War Department.

Source:

Temple, Harry Downing, "Donning the Blue and Gray", Richmond, VA: William Byrd Press, 1992, p.62

Extent

3.1 Cubic Feet (1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This cadet blouse is navy blue with black lining, and sleeves lined with off white. It is possibly made of wool and cotton. The blouse has a black stripe trim with plastic black buttons on the right, and hooks on the left. There are two gold pins on the collar of the blouse. One pin has "VPI" with guns crossing above. The other pin has "ROTC" with flames between "RO" and "TC." There is a five pointed star on the lower right sleeve and three thin black stripes above, a wide black stripe on lower sleeve. Labels on inside of blouse state "Mr. John E. McDonald," "Date {34}-{31?}-{39}," and numbers "27 1/2, 18 1/2." The coat was manufactured by Virginia Polytechnic Institute Uniform Dept. V.E. Kelsey, Supt. The condition is fair, some stains, missing top hook, worn on back.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection was acquired by Special Collection and University Archives in January 1975

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse was completed in June 2025. Preliminary description was completed in 2016.

Title
John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse, c.1920s
Subtitle
John E. McDonald VPI Cadet Blouse
Status
Completed
Author
Aly Diemel, Volunteer, and Special Collections and University Archives Staff
Date
2025 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308