18th C.B. Tarawa bring backs

[muddyboots]

These items were brought back by a member of the 18th N.C.B. which was renamed the 18th Marines while attached to the 2nd Marine Division. I purchased these from the daughter of the Vet. She found while cleaning out the garage years after his death and didn't know they existed. She said he never talked of his service and only knew he was wounded but didn't know were or how he was wounded. She said the items were in an envelope that was marked Tarawa. Through research I was able find out her father did take part in the initial landings at Tarawa and was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation along with 250 other C.B.'s for there part in the action. He later took part in the Saipan landings and was severely wounded and was shipped back to Hawaii to recover. He later rejoined his battalion at Tinian .

[muddyboots]

Here is the flag.

[muddyboots]

Here is a picture of the vet in his marine uniform.

[muddyboots]

Here is the 18th C.B.'s painting a B-29 with there logo. I was told he is in the picture?

[BROBS]

Wow... thanks for sharing!!

 

-Brian

[USdog]

That's really cool! Man if those items could speak.

[tarbridge]

Thanks for posting.

[muddyboots]

Thanks. And for what they have seen it wasn't pretty.

[muddyboots]

Here is a handkerchief the C.B.'s made.

[BROBS]

Neat stuff. Thanks for posting.

 

-Brian

[USCapturephotos]

Thanks for posting. What a nice group!

Paul

[Navybean]

Neat Stuff, curious he was a CB but you say he was made a Marine? Not just attached? I've seen sailors in greens but I did not know they could actually wear the EGA.

 

Learn something new everday

[Old Marine]

That's very interesting, great finds. What is the insignia on the cap?

[muddyboots]

Not sure what the insignia on the hat is I was hoping someone would have someone would have some ideas. As for the uniform the 18th Marines was made from the 2nd Marines and the 18th N.C.B. The C.B.'s were issued marine gear and uniforms. I guess it was like corpsmen being issued marine uniforms. I have another small group to another member of the same group I'll post later. It has all marine insignia.

[KASTAUFFER]

The insignia on the hat is a sterling Naval Construction Bn pin.

 

Very nice group!

 

Kurt

[muddyboots]

Thank you for clearing that up.

[Old Marine]

Thanks Kurt. That's a nice photo.

[BROBS]

pin appears to be one like this:

http://www.icollector.com/Original-WWII-USN-SeaBee-Construimus-Batuimus-Badge-NMCB-Pin_i19381332

 

though it looks weird in that photo I think it's the angle.

there is also a more rare enameled version.

 

-Brian

[muddyboots]

I'll post more of him in uniform this evening.

[muddyboots]

I'm not sure where this was taken.

[muddyboots]

This was taken in New Zealand.

[muddyboots]

New Zealand after being awarded the Asiatic Campaign Ribbon for taking part at Guadalcanal.

[Kurt Barickman]

Very cool. Each Marine Division in WWII had an engineering regiment; 2nd=18th Marines, 1st=17th Marines, 4th=20th Marines, etc. The third battalion of each of these regiments was in fact a Seabee NCB. They wore USN and USMC insignia, uniforms and often interchanged them. I have a scrapbook from Seabee from 3/18th with many photos of Tarawa in it that were taken personally by the Seabee. Many of these photos also show a wide range of eclectic insignia used from both service. Thanks for posting. This unit is a particular interest of mine within my Tarawa interest.

Kurt

[katieony]

Interesting group...thanks for posting!

Mike

[Mandy]

Nice group!! Thanks for your sharing!!

Tom