The V-42 “Commando Knife” made by Case in the U.S.A. and was primarily issued to the First Special Service Force (F.S.S.F.) aka the Devil’s Brigade, which was made up of U.S. and Canadian troops. A few were issued to one U.S. Navy battleship and a few were later issued to U.S. Special Forces (The Green Berets”). 

 The Devil’s Brigade were famous for their use of these fighting knives. The U.S. Special Forces wear the same crossed arrows collar badges as the FSSF officers (slightly different dimentsions) and the cap badge features a V42 knife in its centre. The Canadian Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2) incorporates the image of a V-42 knife in their Assaulter badges.

Collectors usually like mint examples of knives, and some of the mint V-42 knives were simply mailed home and never used in combat, so really they are not good examples of why they are famous as the mint examples have “not been there or done that”. In most cases, the Brave (Forceman) it was issued to is unknown. This beat up example however is very special.

 

 

Jack W. Stallings, Jr. , U.S. Army service number 20822049

Recipient of the Silver Star for bravery, recommended for the Bronze Star for bravery (I do not know if he received it), Purple Hear witrh cluster (wounded twice).

It was issued to Sgergeant Jack W. Stallings, Jr., of Houston, Texas who served in 1-1 of the F.S.S.F. It is VERY well used and indeed has been sharpened so much that this indicates extensive use during WWII. The plade was painted Olive Drab, presumably to prevent reflection when stalking an enemy. Stallings is recorded in the unit history as having been on the Cerro Alto(spelling?) Raid at Anzio. He was awarded the Silver Star for bravery at Anzio, Italy. He went into a minefield to rescure a comrade. Later in the war he was Commissioned and as an offier served as Aide-de-Camp to General Frederick who had founded and led the F.S.S.F. in actiuon at Kiska and in Italy. In the Korean War Stallings served with the U.S. 3rd Division. He was fatally wounded when

 

 

 

 

References on Jack W. Stallings, Jr. 

 

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (from 

Special Forces Roll of Honour listing for Jack W. Stallings, Jr. 

Hall of Valor by Military Times – Jack W. Stallings Jr.

Find a Grave Jack Wilburn Stallings Jr. 

 he jumped down off a tank and landed on a landmine which explosed. I purchased this knife directlty from his son many years ago. The scabbard is from another unknown F.S.S.F. veteran who obviuously carried his knife in action as well and the two go togther perfectly. 

I have not yet had this knife tested for traces of blood as we so often see in TV crime cramas, but I fully expect that it was indeed used as intended, as evidenced by the extensive sharpening which has worn the blade down to about half of its original width. FIRST SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE, WWII

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