Grandpa's WWII Navy Beach Battalion M1 Helmet!

[stealthytyler]

Hey guys, I finally got some nice pictures taken of my grandfathers M1 helmet! He was a radioman in Platoon C-9 of the 4th Naval Beach Battalion. He landed in the first waves during the invasions of Gela, Sicily ... Salerno (Paestum), Italy ... and Sainte Maxime, France. During the invasion of Salerno, my grandfathers platoon was pinned down in their foxholes on the beach for over 12 hours due to enemy tank and artillery fire. The only thing that saved them was the Germans own minefield on the beach. The tanks were not able to push them back into the sea.

 

The painted stripes on the helmet represent the beach zones that he landed on:

 

RED STRIPE (bottom layer, cant see) = Red Beach - Gela, Sicily

BLUE STRIPE = Blue Beach - Salerno (Paestum), Italy

YELLOW STRIPE = Yellow Beach - Sainte Maxime, France

GREY STRIPE = ? I never did ask him what this one was for. Maybe to cover up the bright color due to snipers in Southern France?

 

I have also included some photos of him with his helmet during the war... enjoy!

 

 

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

[stealthytyler]

Invasion of Southern France... he is standing next to the radio looking down. Notice helmet.

 

 

[stealthytyler]

Invasion of Southern France. He is sitting on his helmet on the beach.

 

 

[stealthytyler]

Invasion of Salerno, Italy. Grandpa is not pictured in this one but these are his platoon buddies. Notice helmets.

[nreed_94]

This is seriously awesome! The fact that you have photos of him with the helmet makes it even cooler

[stealthytyler]

No helmet in this one but he is on guard duty in Salerno, Italy sometime after the main invasion. They were issued M1903 rifles.

 

[pararaftanr2]

tyler,

Very nicely done. That is quite a piece of history you are preserving.

Regards, Paul

[carbinephalen]

This needs to be pinned! Simply incredible. No other item will ever mean as much as this one. Thanks for sharing this family treasure with us.

[Burning Hazard]

Super looking helmet! could possibly be one of a handful surviving examples in the world, especially since it's got so much veteran provenance with it.

BTW, was that you who beat up the chinstraps as a kid soldier?

 

Regards

 

Pat

 

 

[Burning Hazard]

Tyler, you also gotta re-post that picture of you wearing it as a kid with your grandpa sitting next to you.

[stealthytyler]

There were less than 500 sailors in the 4th Beach Battalion. Some vets told me that not all platoons painted their helmets. Most did though. I was told that many vets gave or threw away their helmets after the war and many were re-painted. I wonder how many of these helmets are still out there? I am actively searching and hope to someday find one.

[stealthytyler]

Here is another photo... these are the signalman from Platoon C-9. They are setup on a beach during the invasion of southern France. Notice the stripe on the helmet of the sailor with his head down.

 

[devildog34]

Man this is such a special item with more sentimental value than one could imagine. How awesome to have it you know your grandpa is proud to know his grandson is so passionate and will keep his story alive for generations to come. I just got all my grandfathers Marine corps stuff from WWII a few months ago and it's bitter sweet because I'd give it all up in a heartbeat to have him back but I'm honored to keep his story alive.