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The Army's Navy - United States Army Transportation Corps - Water Division


vintageproductions
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vintageproductions

So walking around the antique market yesterday, and I have to admit I was a little bored as I stopped and looked at a pile of Navy jumpers.

 

I am glad I did, as I found one I have never owned.

 

A jumper to the Army transportation corps.

 

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Salvage Sailor

That's a USATC-WD uniform circa 1944 (its successor service was the post-war MSTS)

 

United States Army Transportation Corps - Water Division

 

At the mid-point of the Second World War, and as the U.S. military establishment turned greater attention and allocated more resources toward the task of fighting the Japanese Empire, the U.S. Army streamlined its marine operations. The three disparate services which comprised the Army’s water-borne forces came under the jurisdiction of the Transportation Corps. No longer was there an Army Transport (ocean going), Inter Island (Phillipine Island transports) nor Harbor Boat (intercoastal) Service; rather the all-inclusive Water Division. The insignia and uniforms of the previous services were cast aside in 1944, and division took a distinctly Navy look.
References
Dave Collar. “Insignia of the Army Transportation Service in World War II.” ASMIC: The Trading Post October-December 1994: 29-43.

 

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So what is the rank with two chevrons? In the Navy, two chevrons means 2nd class petty officer, which I think was Grade 4 (equal to a "buck sergeant" in the Army or Marines, i.e. three chevrons with no rocker.)

 

So is this a buck sergeant in the water transportation corps?

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  • 1 year later...

Interesting thread and very cool jumper!  Here are some rating badges relevant to this topic I believe.  After reading this thread, and reading Dave Collar's Trading Post piece, It appears these are post-war badges.  Very  light synthetic twill material with newer-style eagle, embroidered chevrons.  The backs have some light sizing compound that makes them a bit stiff, but when held up to the light, they are almost see-through.  The blue badges are virtually the same shade of blue as the current USCG rates.  The eagles and mark on the khaki badges are blue, not black embroidery.   

 

I am still not sure of the correct designation of the successor entity (ATC-WD?) nor when these may have been authorized.  Thanks for any information.  Oh, by the way, I am sure I saw a piece by Sarge Booker showing illustrations of these rates, but could not find anything in the Booker Threads.  Thanks again, Dennieblue.jpeg.c202e0620bb4facd321170ba53004653.jpegkhaki.jpeg.2f73d7f1ba9a9ffaaf601be57b129590.jpeg1509428176_blueback.jpeg.4a92a02d85686f131d61f27edd80769b.jpeg244684053_khakiback.jpeg.e081df56192117c78a1a02ac4e8e81b4.jpeg

 

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  • 2 years later...

My father went thru merchant marine AB seamen training at sheepshead bay, NY,  in june 1943 and then to merchant marine cadet training in august 1943.  He was told to procure an ATS officer uniform (which he had), but then received a temporary appointment as a 2LT, Army transportation corps, in january 1944.  During this time, he also passed various merchant marine exams, and received a commission in the USNR.  He served as both a ship master and ship cargo security officer out of the New Orleans Port of Embarkation from june 1944 thru july 1946.

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