marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 18, 2013 Ok guys been ages since I've shared anything. Normally it seems like folks ask me for help with ID's so it's a bit backwards for me to be asking lol. I picked this up yesterday at an estate sale. The owner said her husband recieved it as a "tip" after unloading furniture from his Atlas Van Lines haul some 30+ years ago. I've used all of my Navy Officer indexs and searched every possible thing I can come up with on Anscestery. So who can help me figure out who Lt. E.R. Welsch was. Obviously Devil's Den must have been a smaller craft. At least LST or smaller. The back of the frame has a tag from a frame shop in Louisville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted November 18, 2013 If I can ever get a picture small enough to attach I'll post Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #3 Posted November 18, 2013 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #4 Posted November 18, 2013 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted November 18, 2013 I've got to believe he was a PT skipper but I can't find any E.R. Welsch in any of my research. Several E variations and Welsch but none officers. And no R. initial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted November 18, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 18, 2013 Here is what I found: Welsch, Ermal R. , ensign, date of precedence 9-22-43 Nice looking flag! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted November 18, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 18, 2013 What size is the flag? any ensign No. on it? (PT boats used a size 12) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 18, 2013 Share #8 Posted November 18, 2013 C Great Flag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted November 18, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 18, 2013 If it is the same person, it looks like he was originally from Indiana. Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted November 18, 2013 Damn Beast where did you find that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #11 Posted November 18, 2013 Mr. Jerry I haven't taken the frame apart yet. Was waiting to have it reframed to do that so I see no marking yet. It meassures 15x31 though if that helps. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #12 Posted November 18, 2013 Thanks Ron and Beast appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted November 18, 2013 Share #13 Posted November 18, 2013 Damn Beast where did you find that!! Wish I could tell you that it was amazing in-depth knowledge, but I got lucky and found him in my copy of the 1944 USNR officer register. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted November 18, 2013 shinola I had to have totally missed him! Because I looked in my register! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #15 Posted November 18, 2013 Looks like it is a size 12 with a 15x31 measurment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted November 18, 2013 Share #16 Posted November 18, 2013 Looks like it is a size 12 with a 15x31 measurment Sure looks like one that would be on a small craft or PT. I tried searching refferance to the Devils Den in WW2 with a ship/boat connection but didnt see anything.Im not real adept at searching. Wonder if you contact a PT association if they have any info?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted November 18, 2013 Share #17 Posted November 18, 2013 I will check my PT boat references when I get home tonite.. Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marineamtracer Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #18 Posted November 18, 2013 Leigh thanks a million! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rakkasan187 Posted November 20, 2013 Share #19 Posted November 20, 2013 I looked in both my PT boat books and did not find any matches for this name. I will continue to search... Leigh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
29navy Posted March 12, 2014 Share #20 Posted March 12, 2014 I show an Edward R. Welsch that was in MTB RON 12, but they were in Sothwest Paific area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staffsgtwilson04 Posted March 13, 2014 Share #21 Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks for the reply 29. I have actually determined for sure that it was Ermal Welsch mentioned above. He died here in Iowa a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted March 14, 2014 Share #22 Posted March 14, 2014 I don't think "Devils Den" refers to a ship or boat group, but rather an unofficial grouping of the crew. For example, Chiefs Mess's were generally referred to as "Goat Lockers". So, many "unofficial" awards presented by/to folks from the CPO mess refer to the Goat Locker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Welsch Posted June 18, 2022 Share #23 Posted June 18, 2022 I am the son of Ermal Welsch. That flag used to sit above the fireplace in our home in Louisville in the early 70's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted June 18, 2022 Share #24 Posted June 18, 2022 Welcome aboard Bob! Maybe you could help us out with some of your fathers military history. As you can see from these posts, we greatly respect and try to preserve the military history of the artifacts original owner. Best regards, BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Welsch Posted June 18, 2022 Share #25 Posted June 18, 2022 Hey Brian -- He was the captain of the PT Boat called The Devil's Den in WWII. Later he served in the Korean Conflict in Washington, DC. What I am trying to find out is if marineamtracer still has the flag and whether or not he would consider letting me have it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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