dustin Posted May 1, 2017 Share #1 Posted May 1, 2017 From time to time posts pop about the US Navy pneumatic life preserver belt, and one of the typical questions or inquiries are their intended use. Namely they had been almost strictly associated with the D-Day invasion of Europe 6 June 1944, but were in use service wide. Their implementation was an alternative to the bulky kapok types for working parties or where space restrictions did not allow the use of the kapok type. Life preservers were not always worn but stored at specific locations and donned during call to battle stations. Carrier deck crews were something a little different, working topside they risk falling overboard in those hazardous conditions, there fore it was important to wear a safety device in case of an event. The pneumatic life preserver belt did not hamper their hectic work duties shuttling planes, loading armament or whatever may need to be required on the tremendously busy and dangerous flight deck. Illustrated are a series of images capturing various moments aboard aircraft carriers during WWII and their preferred preference in wearing them. These images are all from the Pacific Theater of operations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted May 1, 2017 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dustin Posted May 1, 2017 Author Share #3 Posted May 1, 2017 . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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Brian Keith Posted May 1, 2017 Share #6 Posted May 1, 2017 Great photos! I thought the white paper coffee cups were interesting also. Thanks for posting them. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_k Posted May 3, 2017 Share #7 Posted May 3, 2017 Great shots Dustin! I like a big box with sandwiches;) Best regards, Jerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stealthytyler Posted June 4, 2017 Share #8 Posted June 4, 2017 These were not used exclusively for Normandy. My grandpa wore them during 3 different amphibious assaults in the ETO. Sicily, Salerno and S. France. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VMI88 Posted June 4, 2017 Share #9 Posted June 4, 2017 Great photos! I thought the white paper coffee cups were interesting also. That was the first thing I noticed too! I had no idea paper cups dated to WW2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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