SAVED! Interesting WWII Navy Dog Tag

[Nic]

Although I'm not a big Navy collector, I had to rescue this piece as it was on the market to be turned into Steampunk jewelry!

 

Lt(jg) Uthoff was FM-2 Wildcat pilot assigned to VC-27 flying off of the USS Savo Island. On 5 January 1945 while on a CAP mission during the invasion of Luzon he was recorded as shooting down two Zekes. He may of had more kills during the war, but I have been unable to confirm any others. He was also a member of the "Order of the Flying Turtle" (pilots who flew over the equator), the "Barrier Club" (hitting the barrier on the carrier upon landing) and the "Goldfish Club" (forced down at sea). He made it into the Goldfish Club on 22 October 1944 when the engine of his FM-2 cut out.

 

All in all, a very interesting piece of history for such a small package!

 

 

 

 

 

[sgtdorango]

Great save and sounds like he had an adventurous time in the service!....mike

[Marksman]

Good Job!

 

I realy hate when they will destroy such pieces of history.

[Government Issue]

Good Job!

 

I realy hate when they will destroy such pieces of history.

 

I wouldn't necessarily say that the dog tag was going to be destroyed. I've seen many different things preserved because they were repurposed for something else. It's amazing what you can find that people are selling as something else, in this case jewelry. However, I have seen the bad side of this too where stuff can be completely destroyed in the process.

 

Really neat that you were able to get an ID Nic! Two zeros in a day!

[hink441]

Great save!! Let me know if you want to sell!!

 

Chris

[David D]

Great save!

 

-Dave

[AZPhil]

Great job saving that piece of history!!!!!

Semper Fi

Phil

[bellasilva]

Awesome! Just curious, was this for sale on etsy.com? They have a good amount of dog tags on that site, with many listings exclaiming how great they would look as "steampunk" jewelry.

[Nic]

Thanks for all of the comments. I was able to track down a photo of Mr. Uthoff today in his "office".

[Warren]

Terrific history associated with that dog tag. My father had a similar story, FM-2 Carrier pilot on the Petrof Bay splashed 3 enemy aircraft in one day in the Battle of Okinawa.

[Warren]

Lt Ralph E. Friedrich in the FM-2 on board CVE-80.

[Outtair]

GREAT PHOTO, GREAT HERO