Medical Blankets & Medical Blanket Sets
Item No 71580 – Blanket, White
Blankets are oblong pieces of woven fabric (usually wool) used as a bed covering. They are manufactured from organic material and are used to protect, save warmth, suppress discomfort, and preserve body temperature. These covers were extensively used by the Medical Department to protect patients against any possible discomfort, maintain their body warmth, and sometimes even helped prevent shock.
The United States Medical Department, always used blankets in the past, and continued to do so during the Great War and in World War 2. Apart from wool material, it also developed a rubber version. Two major types were in use; White Wool Blankets, for Zone of Interior and Hospitals installed in the rear, and Olive Drab Wool Blankets for multiple use in the field. For extensive field use, Blankets Sets, Small and Large were provided on a wide scale. The object of this small article is to present the different types of Blankets and Blanket Sets in use with the Medical Department in WW2.
The article uses as basic references Medical Department Supply Catalogs issued by the War Department. It must be noted that Blankets, White or Olive Drab, Rubber, and Blanket Sets are listed under different classifications:
Class 7 – Items in the 71500-71800 range: Hospital Linen and Bedding
Class 8 – Items in the 80000-89990 range: Veterinary Equipment and Supplies
Class 9 – Items in the 91000-99990 range: Field Equipment and Supplies
Note: Items with IWIS > “Issue While In Stock” indication, are those for which purchase for the Army was discontinued, but for which stock remaining from previous purchases was still issued until supply was exhausted.
Medical Supply Catalog – War Department – November 1, 1942
Item 71012 – Warmer, Blanket: approximately 72 Inches high, 24 Inches wide, 24 Inches deep with single door, steel
Item 71580 – Blanket, White: Wool, 90 by 66 Inches (this is the white blanket with maroon band)
Item 80030 – Blanket Cover (IWIS) > no longer listed in subject Catalog
Item 81015 – Pin, Blanket: Medium Size
Following Items are listed under a different Subheading:
Class 9 – 97450-97930 range: Unit Assemblages and Component Parts
Item 97455 – Blanket Set, Large
Item 97460 – Blanket Set, Large, Case, Empty
Item 97465 – Blanket Set, Small
Item 97470 – Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty
Following Items are listed under a different Subheading:
Class 9 – 99010-99650 range: Miscellaneous
Item 99090 – Blanket, Olive Drab: Wool, 90 by 66 Inches (this is the plain olive drab version)
Item 99095 – Blanket, Rubber
Appendix of subject Supply Catalog includes a list of Contents of Chests, Cases, etc.; and Spare Parts:
Item No 97470 – Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty
This Case was manufactured by Indianapolis Tent and Awning Co., May 25, 1943 (black and red markings). Contents consisted of 8 Olive-Drab Wool Blankets (the Case however could also hold 50 Bath Towels; MD Item No. 71770, or 150 Hand Towels; MD Item No. 71780).
| 97455 – Blanket Set, Large (including following elements): | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Item | Quantity |
| 97460 | Blanket Set, Large, Case, Empty | 1 |
| 99090 | Blanket, Olive Drab | 24 |
| 97465 – Blanket Set, Small (including following elements): | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Item | Quantity |
| 97470 | Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty | 1 |
| 99090 | Blanket, Olive Drab | 8 |
Medical Department Supply Catalog – War Department, June 1, 1943
Following Item is listed under a different Subheading:
Class 7 – Issue While In Stock (IWIS): Hospital Equipment and Supplies
Item 71012 – Warmer, Blanket: approximately 72 Inches high, 24 Inches wide, 24 Inches deep with single door, steel (Requisitions will state type of heating desired. If electric, include proper notes as to current, voltage, etc.)
Item 81015 – Pin, Blanket: Medium Size
Size 6 Steel Blanket Pins (Item # 81015) as used to secure Medical Department Blankets. This particular packet was manufactured by the Oakville Company (a division of Scovill Manufacturing Company), Waterbury, Connecticut.
Following Item is listed under a different Subheading:
Class 8 – Issue While In Stock (IWIS): Veterinary Equipment and Supplies
Item 80030 – Blanket Cover: Horse, Blanket Lined
Following Items are listed under a different Subheading:
Class 9 – 97450-97930 range: Unit assemblages and Component Parts
Item No 97460 – Blanket Set, Large, Case, Empty.
This particular example was manufactured by Indianapolis Tent and Awning Co., June 9, 1943 (black and red markings). Standard contents consisted of 24 Olive-Drab Wool Blankets.
Item 97455 – Blanket Set, Large
Item 97460 – Blanket Set, Large, Case, Empty
Item 97465 – Blanket Set, Small
Item 97470 – Blanket Small, Small, Case, Empty
Following Items are listed under a different Subheading:
Class 9 – 99010-99650 range: Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies
Item 99090 – Blanket, Olive Drab: Wool, 90 by 66 Inches
Item 99095 – Blanket, Rubber
Appendix of subject Supply Catalog includes following Medical Department Organizational Equipment:
Following Items are listed under a different Subheading:
Appendix – Section I: Organizational Equipment
Item 97205 – Battalion Medical Equipment > contains 2 Blanket Set, Small (Item 97465)
Item 97270 – Medical Pack Equipment > contains 1 Blanket, Olive Drab (Item 99090)
Item 97300 – Regimental Headquarters Medical Equipment > contains 1 Blanket Set, Small (Item 97465)
Item 97305 – Squadron Aid Station Equipment > contains 1 Blanket Set, Small (Item 97465)
Appendix – Section II: Medical Department Assemblages and Component Parts
| Item 97455 – Blanket Set, Large (including following elements): | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Item | Quantity |
| 97460 | Blanket Set, Large, Case, Empty | 1 |
| 99090 | Blanket, Olive Drab | 24 |
| Item 97465 – Blanket Set, Small (including following elements): | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Item | Quantity |
| 97470 | Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty | 1 |
| 99090 | Blanket, Olive Drab | 8 |
Appendix – Section II: Medical Department Assemblages and Component Parts
Item 97740 – Crash Splint Unit > contains 2 Blanket, Olive Drab (Item 99090)
Item 97758 – Gas Casualty Case, Aprons and Gloves > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470)
Item 97793 – Pajama Set, Coat, Winter > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470)
Item 97812 – Pillow Case Set > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470)
Item 97814 – Sheet Set > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470)
Item 97847 – Towel Set, Bath > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470)
Item 97848 – Towel Set, Hand > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470)
Note: following Items were contained in various Change Notices >
Item 97305 – Squadron Aid Station Equipment > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470) – effective 15 Aug 43
Item 97944 – Pack No. 3, Unit Medical Equipment > contains 6 Blanket, Olive Drab (Item 99090) – New Item introduced – effective 15 Aug 43
Item 71012 – Warmer, Blanket – Reinstated Item – Reclassified from IWS to Substitute Standard – effective 1 Apr 44
Item 97305 – Squadron Aid Station Equipment > packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 97470) – Item deleted – effective 15 May 44
Remark: Linen and Bedding are listed under Class 7 – Hospital Equipment and Supplies
Medical Supply Catalog – War Department – 1 March 1944
Following Item is listed under a different Subheading:
Class 7 – Linen and Bedding
Item 7158000 – Blanket, White
Item 8101500 – Pin, Horse Blanket: Medium
Following Items are listed under a different Subheading:
Class 9 – Unit Assemblages and Component Parts
Item 9745500 – Blanket Set, Large, Complete
Item 9746000 – Blanket Set, Large, Case, Empty: Canvas
Item 9746500 – Blanket Set, Small, Complete
Item 9747000 – Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty: Canvas
Following Items are listed under a different Subheading:
Class 9 – Miscellaneous Equipment and Supplies
Item 9909000 – Blanket, Olive Drab: 90 x 66 Inches
Item 9909500 – Blanket, Rubber: 80 by 68 Inches
Catalog MED 6, SETS: Small Assemblies, Kits and Chests include following Class 9 Items:
Item 9720500 – Battalion Medical Equipment > contains 2 Blanket Set, Small, Complete (Item 9746500)
Item 9727000 – Medical Pack Equipment > contains 1 Blanket, Olive Drab (Item 9909000)
Item 9730000 – Regimental Headquarters Medical Equipment > contains 1 Blanket Set, Small, Complete (Item 9746500)
Item 9730500 – Squadron Aid Station Equipment > contains 1 Blanket Set, Small, Complete (Item 9746500)
Item 9774000 – Crash Splint Set > contains 2 Blanket, Olive Drab (Item 9909000)
Item 9775800 – Gas Casualty Case, Aprons and Gloves > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9779100 – Pajama Set, Coat, Summer > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9779200 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Summer > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9779300 – Pajama Set, Coat, Winter > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9779400 – Pajama Set, Trousers, Winter > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9781200 – Pillow Case Set > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9781400 – Sheet Set > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9784700 – Towel Set, Bath > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 9747000)
Item 9784800 – Towel Set, Hand > is packed in 1 Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty (Item 0747000)
Item 9794400 – Pack No. 3, Unit Medical Equipment > contains 6 Blanket, Olive Drab (Item 9909000)
| Item 9745500 – Blanket Set, Large (including following elements): | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Item | Quantity |
| 9746000 | Blanket Set, Large, Case, Empty | 1 |
| 9909000 | Blanket, Olive Drab | 24 |
| Item 9746500 – Blanket Set, Small (including following elements): | ||
|---|---|---|
| Number | Item | Quantity |
| 9747000 | Blanket Set, Small, Case, Empty | 1 |
| 9909000 | Blanket, Olive Drab | 8 |
Remarks:
A collection of blanket labels showing various manufacturers follows:
Item No 99090 – Blanket, Olive Drab manufactured by American Woolen Co., Inc.
QM Stock No 27-B-678 – Blanket, Olive Drab manufactured by American Woolen Co., Inc.
QM Stock No 27-B-730-888 – Blanket, 25% Wool, Olive Drab manufactured by Beacon Manufacturing Co.
Type I Olive Drab Wool Blanket manufactured by Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Company, Inc.
Type I Olive Drab Wool Blanket manufactured by Peerless Woolen Mills.
Type I Olive Drab Wool Blanket manufactured by the Virginia Woolen Company.
Item No. 71580 – Blanket, Wool, White. This example has been produced by Springfield Woolen Mills Co.
Item No. 71580 – Blanket, Wool, White as produced by Chatham Manufacturing Company.