M1938 Leggings

The U.S. Army's M1938 Dismounted Leggings covered the top of a soldier's service shoes and were designed to keep his trousers from snagging on objects such as barbed wire or branches, to prevent mud, sand and stones from getting into the soldier's shoes, and to provide ankle support.

The heavy cotton canvas leggings were held in place with a fabric strap with buckle that wrapped around the service shoe, and were laced up the outside to provide a snug and personalized fit. A soldier could either tuck his trouser's into the leggings, or blouse them over the top of the leggings. Like most of the clothing worn on D-Day, the leggings were impregnated with an anti-gas paste.