355th Field Artillery Battalion S-2 Captain's Uniform. Wounded in Action...

Capt. Kacena graduated from the University of Chicago with a Degree in Mathematics. He was drafted into the Army in 1941 and quickly entered Artillery Officer Candidate School. He rose through the ranks and transferred to the 76th Division before their deployment overseas. He served as 355th Field Artillery Battalion's S-2. He was wounded in action in Germany in 1945. He was directing his unit's artillery fire using a tank as a shield when an enemy mortar landed a few yards behind him, blowing him over. His arm went limp as he tried to raise himself up from the ground and he knew that he had been hit. A large piece of shrapnel struck his left arm. In his words, "It went through the flesh and dug a tunnel through my arm. I was in the hospital for about 5 weeks. I also had to call my Lieutenant and let him know he was going to be in charge."

He was discharged as a Major in 1945 and continued his affiliation with the 76th by being a lifelong member of the Division Association

This uniform came out of an Iowa antique store. It retains all of it's original insignia including the hard to find 355th Field Artillery Battalion DUI's on the epaulettes. It is laundry marked and named to him also.  I was lucky enough to obtain an interview with Capt. Kacena before his passing. He was a great man and will be truly missed. RIP Sir.