flyingtigerfan Posted February 12, 2017 #1 Posted February 12, 2017 Hi All, I'm mostly an aviation collector but thought this very large and poignant USMC Guadalcanal grouping I picked up was worthy of sharing. Still going through all the material - this veteran kept everything related to his service. Multiple scrapbooks full of every scrap of paper, every souvenir. Despite being wounded he managed to bring back some Japanese souvenirs and a few rarely seen keepsakes. He gave his helmet and dress blues to a local VFW, otherwise the group would have been near complete head to toe. He served from 1935 to 1945. Started out in the NYNM, Marine Corps Reserves at New Rochelle NY. Active duty starting in 1940 with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Division. According to his family the Raiders patch was from his time spent training with Edson's 1st Raider Battalion Co.B, he did not go overseas with the Raiders. He landed on Guadalcanal November 4, 1942. He kept a diary from that date through the 21st when he was wounded by Japanese machine gunner putting a bullet through his shoulder. He continued the diary from about another month during his hospitalization recovering from his wound and Malaria. He served through 1945 but did not go back to the Pacific. As my pictures will show, he kept just about everything as he loved the Marine Corps. Some great gear, unusual keepsakes such as his wound tag, empty syrette and sulfa powder packet, high quality pre WWII real photo postcards etc... Still piecing together the details so I'll let the photo do most of the talking. Hope you all find it as interesting as I do.
warguy Posted February 12, 2017 #5 Posted February 12, 2017 Wow that is a haul. Rare first aid pouch on that cartridge belt. I love large complete groupings like this. They don't come around that often.
mhalstead1950 Posted February 12, 2017 #6 Posted February 12, 2017 WOW, that is a great grouping! It is good to see it all still together, nice find.
warguy Posted February 12, 2017 #12 Posted February 12, 2017 Wow his original wound tag.......crazy! Nice first pattern USMC/Navy PH with what appears to be official engraving. I thought they only did these on KIA? This is an amazing grouping!
flyingtigerfan Posted February 12, 2017 Author #17 Posted February 12, 2017 .... A few of the pages to get a sense... the next is out of order....
flyingtigerfan Posted February 12, 2017 Author #19 Posted February 12, 2017 earlier days.... real photo post cards....
flyingtigerfan Posted February 12, 2017 Author #21 Posted February 12, 2017 Whew! Stepping away for now, thanks for looking! -Rob
Pete-o MSU Posted February 12, 2017 #22 Posted February 12, 2017 Wow his original wound tag.......crazy! Nice first pattern USMC/Navy PH with what appears to be official engraving. I thought they only did these on KIA? This is an amazing grouping! This is official engraving.
KASTAUFFER Posted February 12, 2017 #24 Posted February 12, 2017 That is a spectacular grouping. Seeing official engraving on a WIA PH for Guadalcanal is not unknown. It seems a number of them were issued. I used to own one to a Raider. Kurt
bheskett Posted February 12, 2017 #25 Posted February 12, 2017 OUCH I think I chipped a tooth when my jaw hit the floor. What an amazing group, congrats on the find. Bob
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