USMC-RECON0321 Posted April 19, 2015 Share #1 Posted April 19, 2015 Here is an interesting one I purchased direct from the Vets Son This helmet set belonged to Sgt Clyde A. Loomis ASN 37382950 Who enlisted in Sept 1942, serving to 1945 and passed away in 2006. (See information below) Interesting set, early fixed loop helmet shell and OD Green A-washer MSA Liner. Both the liner and shell have his ID information painted in them. But what really caught my attention was the unusual painted markings on both sides of the helmet liner. You will notice the details are not exactly the same and facing different directions. So if a stencil was used it would've been two different stencils and not just flipped over. Has anyone seen this insignia before? Interesting (or confusing I should say) is the back of the Helmet liner has an Officer's leadership stripe done in tape and the front of the liner looks to have a faint set of Captains bars showing. But it does appear the capt bars were rubbed away and the tape leadership bar on the back was removed only showing the residue left behind? I also find it interesting how the liner is in such rough condition but the original leather chinstrap survived and is still attached (But very worn). When the helmet set arrived, the son also scanned and included two pictures of his father in WWII. From what I could find on line so far on NARA, His obituary and from an archived newspaper article attached to a web site called "WWII in Washington County , Missouri" 1945 article, I have the following: Name - Clyde A. Loomis Date of Birth - July 24th, 1920 (Belgrade MO) Date of Death, March 22nd, 2006 Enlisted in the Army - Sept. 2nd, 1942 (Jefferson Barracks MO) Rank at Discharge - Sgt Military History (Listed in his obituary) Served in North Africa and Europe with general Patton in the 3rd Army 1942-1945, receiving the Purple Heart and Bronze Star medal. Military History (Found a web site called "WWII in Washington County , Missouri) 1945 article. "Sgt Clyde A. Loomis, Member of the 342nd Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the 6th Army supporting the U.S. 7th Army Troops which made a daring daylight raid on the German Command Post town Schaffhausen. The Raid was completed in one hour and the American force left with 13 prisoners. Formerly part of the 89th Infantry Division Artillery, the 342nd was designated as an Armored Field Artillery Battalion on Sept 1st, 1943. It sailed for Overseas Duty on Oct 11th, 1944 and landed at Marseilles, France. First Action on Jan. 23rd was in support of a Cavalry Reconnaissance Group." Thanks Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted April 19, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted April 19, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted April 19, 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted April 19, 2015 You can see his full name and service number painted in Yellow over top of an older laundry number painted in white Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted April 19, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted April 19, 2015 Here are the 2 scans sent with the helmet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screamingeagles101 Posted April 19, 2015 Share #7 Posted April 19, 2015 That's a pretty awesome helmet ! Nice that you have the history on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronny67 Posted April 20, 2015 Share #8 Posted April 20, 2015 I love this lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phineaus Posted April 21, 2015 Share #9 Posted April 21, 2015 Great helmet, Troy! I've never seen that insignia before. I love the picture. Always adds another level of depth to a lid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeper704 Posted April 21, 2015 Share #10 Posted April 21, 2015 Very cool and interesting helmet. Erwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted April 24, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted April 24, 2015 Thanks for the comments. I'm hoping to find the same insignia again on something? It's very detailed to be a one time thing I would think. Troy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeeper704 Posted April 25, 2015 Share #12 Posted April 25, 2015 They might have had it on the sides of their M7s (105 mm howitzers). Erwin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted March 27, 2017 Thought I would update this thread to show the small unit history I finally received for the 342nd and was happy to see the same marking used on the cover. This unit history shows it was printed in Oct 1945 and can't be many out there. The Veteran to this helmet; "Clyde A. Loomis" is also listed inside for receiving a Bronze Star Medal. Reading the history, the 342nd being a late war unit, sure seen plenty of combat and were continually bounced around from unit to unit, battle to battle as mobile artillery support. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted March 27, 2017 Author Share #14 Posted March 27, 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sgtdorango Posted March 27, 2017 Share #15 Posted March 27, 2017 Wow....Thats great that you found a unit history!.....mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKEsaysGO44 Posted March 28, 2017 Share #16 Posted March 28, 2017 Very cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VenitHora Posted March 29, 2017 Share #17 Posted March 29, 2017 Great set! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kh21 Posted May 3, 2023 Share #18 Posted May 3, 2023 Do you have anymore details on the book? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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