Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Share #1 Posted December 31, 2009 This is a very special grouping to me as my number one interest in collecting is USMC Tarawa 2nd Division. I thank my lucky stars and as one fellow collector stated, my brother who was with Lima/3/5th Vietnam for somehow ending up with this one. Rex G. Beecher was a Michigan lad who had both his parents die within two years of each other and he and his three siblings were adopted by a very well placed MIchigan civil servant. He served with K-3-2 on Guadalcanal and Tulagi and wound with the famous Deane Hawkins Scout Sniper platoon in training in New Zealand and entered glory and fame on Tarawa. I will be posting images of this trunk group for quite awhile as there is so much to it. The 2nd Regiment was attached to the 1st Marine Divison on Guadalcanal and he ended up with the 1st Division again for Korea hence the 1st Mar. Div. tac marks on the trunk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #2 Posted December 31, 2009 Shot of his P-42s most likely worn by him on Tarawa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #3 Posted December 31, 2009 This hat is a very elusive camouflage hat worn by documentation by 6th and 10th Marines on Saipan. This is the only documented one of these hats that I know of. I will evenutally be posting photos of the 2nd Division Scout Sniper platoon pre and post Tarawa and they are all wearing P-42s and these camouflage hats; Beecher is actually wearing this exact hat I believe from the photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted December 31, 2009 I want to add that the platoon went into Tarawa prior to any other Marines with 38 men and after three days of horrific combat had only 20 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted December 31, 2009 Forgot to mention this really cool theatre made knife in the last photo. Will be posting more of his citations, items, uniforms, etc. in the near future. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S McKibben Posted December 31, 2009 Share #6 Posted December 31, 2009 I am already jealous and its only just started.Nice Kurt!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mes Posted December 31, 2009 Share #7 Posted December 31, 2009 Hi Tawara groupings are extra special.Can't wait to see more of this amazing grouping! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 31, 2009 Share #8 Posted December 31, 2009 VERY NICE KURT.BEEN WAITING TO SEE THIS ONE FOR A WHILE RON Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted December 31, 2009 Shots for more items in trunk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #10 Posted December 31, 2009 Another shot of more to come Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted December 31, 2009 Share #11 Posted December 31, 2009 Fantastic grouping Kurt! Glad to see it's in good hands. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #12 Posted December 31, 2009 Shot of the Scout Sniper platoon on New Zealand prior to Tarawa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #13 Posted December 31, 2009 Shot of the remaining Scout Sniper platoon checking out a Japanese Nambu machine gun. Notice how some using the Springfields. Beecher named and numbered everbody in the picture. I checked the names in Blankeney's and everyone was awarded the Silver Star for Tarawa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted December 31, 2009 Shot of Beecher in the latter 1950s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted December 31, 2009 Author Share #15 Posted December 31, 2009 Not only has his girth filled out since the WWII period but check out his rack :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hudson Posted December 31, 2009 Share #16 Posted December 31, 2009 This hat is a very elusive camouflage hat worn by documentation by 6th and 10th Marines on Saipan. This is the only documented one of these hats that I know of. I will evenutally be posting photos of the 2nd Division Scout Sniper platoon pre and post Tarawa and they are all wearing P-42s and these camouflage hats; Beecher is actually wearing this exact hat I believe from the photos. What a great grouping. Here's an official US Navy photo showing these hats being worn on Saipan (I superimposed the caption): Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted January 1, 2010 Author Share #17 Posted January 1, 2010 Thanks for the positive comments. Yes, that is one of the photos that shows these type of hats in wear on Saipan as worn by 6th and 10th Marines of the Second Division. Kurt Barickman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Baker Posted January 1, 2010 Share #18 Posted January 1, 2010 Kurt, What an awesome find. Congratulations!! I love seeing your collection!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
usmcski Posted January 1, 2010 Share #19 Posted January 1, 2010 Fantastic grouping, thanks for sharing it! Semper, Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirt Detective Posted January 1, 2010 Share #20 Posted January 1, 2010 What a great grouping... :thumbsup: Look forward to more photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belleauwood Posted January 1, 2010 Share #21 Posted January 1, 2010 Kurt, Super group. This is what makes all this so much fun. Happy New Year, Dennis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raidercollector Posted January 4, 2010 Share #22 Posted January 4, 2010 Very Nice Group Kurt, Congrats's Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted January 4, 2010 Share #23 Posted January 4, 2010 Very cool . I love this kind of thing . Owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted January 4, 2010 Share #24 Posted January 4, 2010 Great group! Looking forward to seeing what else is in the trunk! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share #25 Posted January 4, 2010 HOpefully here is his Silver Star citation. Notice the Nimitz signature. Kurt Barickman sharpcopier_albertlea.k12.mn.us_20100104_100413_1_.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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