US 101st Airborne Thompson NCO (Khaki Uniform) WWII – Custom Printed Brick Block Figure

Character Identification

This custom building block figure represents a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the US 101st Airborne Division (“Screaming Eagles”) during the D-Day airborne landings, distinguished by his specialized Thompson submachine gun ammo pouches, the 101st divisional patch, and the iconic “Filthy Thirteen” style Native American war paint on his face.

Detailed Character Description

(Utilizing precise 360-degree UV printing, this figure meticulously captures the heavily equipped and fiercely customized appearance of an American paratrooper jumping into Normandy.)

The figure wears a standard olive-drab M1 steel helmet, beneath which his face is intricately printed with red and white tactical war paint and heavy battle stubble. He is outfitted in the classic tan M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket, featuring a printed camouflage parachute silk scarf tucked into the open collar and the 101st Airborne Division patch on his left shoulder. His printed chest webbing is highly specialized for an NCO, featuring a five-cell Thompson submachine gun magazine pouch prominently across the midsection and an M1911 leather pistol holster secured on the hip. His lower half consists of matching M1942 paratrooper trousers detailed with large side cargo pockets and dark canvas knee reinforcements designed to prevent blowouts during a combat landing. The legs terminate in highly detailed brown leather Corcoran jump boots, printed with intricate laces and heavily covered in realistic mud around the soles.

Historical Background

During the chaotic night drops of Operation Overlord (D-Day) on June 6, 1944, the elite paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division were tasked with securing vital causeways and bridges behind Utah Beach. Squad leaders and NCOs were frequently issued the heavy-hitting Thompson submachine gun for its devastating close-quarters firepower, necessitating the specialized multi-cell chest pouches depicted on this figure. The striking red and white facial war paint pays direct homage to the legendary “Filthy Thirteen”, a specialized demolition section of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment. Before boarding their C-47 transport planes, the unit’s leader, Jake McNiece (who was of Choctaw descent), initiated the practice of shaving their heads into Mohawks and applying war paint using invasion striping paint, a fierce customization meant to boost morale and strike terror into the German defenders.