USS Cavalier USCGR dog tags with some great history

[bellasilva]

I thought I'd post the research I've acquired on one of my favorite sets of dog tags. I picked these up a while back solely because we share the same last name.

 

Joseph Silva was inducted into the USCGR in 1943 and in January 1944 boarded the US Cavalier, a Bayfield-class attack transport. The Cavalier had an amazing service history, earning a total of 14 battle stars for her service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

 

Silva was born in Rhode Island in July 1915. He served as a Stewards Mate on the Cavalier. His file states he was fluent in Portuguese and English. I've deduced that he may have been of Brazilian or Portuguese descent, and being a Black American, it'd make sense that he served as a Stewards Mate at the time.

 

He was on board the Cavalier for all of her engagements in the Pacific in WWII, taking part in the invasions of Saipan, Tinian, Luzon, Northern Luzon, and Leyte. He earned 3 campaign stars on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon and 2 campaign stars on his Philippine Liberation ribbon. He was also on board the Cavalier when on January 30, 1945 she was struck by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine, with 50 men wounded.

 

As you can see he was a bit anxious to get home when after over 22 consecutive months of sea duty on the Cavalier he requested shore duty in November 1945. It looks like his request may have been denied as he was one of the only remaining qualified Stewards Mates left on board..

 

Enjoy gents

[bellasilva]

Service history

[bellasilva]

..

[bellasilva]

Silva's well-earned awards

[Bellumbill]

Terrific tags and what a story! They basically said "eff you, officers need to get home in style" He probably saw more frontline service than most of the officers he served on the trip home. Thanks for posting!

 

Very best,

 

Bill K.

[Wharfmaster]

Nice research and write up !

 

 

 

Wharf

[bellasilva]

Thanks guys, as you may know these USN/USCG/USMC tags can be really interesting to research. Almost as much fun as owning these items!

[USdog]

Nice tags Phil. I remember these. Did you just get his file?

[bellasilva]

Thanks Connor, I got the file a while back but was digging through me tags and realized I never did a full write up on him

[DogTCollect]

Her?

[bellasilva]

Her?

What's that?

[DogTCollect]

'earning a total of 14 battle stars for her service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.'

[bellasilva]

'earning a total of 14 battle stars for her service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.'

Yes, regarding the USS Cavalier, she earned a total of 14 battle stars for her participation in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam

[RustyCanteen]

'earning a total of 14 battle stars for her service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.'

 

Ships have always traditionally been referred to with the pronoun 'Her'.

[DogTCollect]

Xd i thought he meant the guy :3

[TheMariner]

Interesting little grouping especially uncommon to find african american Coast Guard tags from that early on !!

[bellasilva]

Thanks!