trenchbuff Posted November 6, 2017 Share #1 Posted November 6, 2017 This hand painted 53rd Naval Construction Battalion sign was brought home by one of the battalion officers after WW2. It turned up on a table at a local antique show after being sold at an estate sale. At first I wasn't sure if it was painted and used during the war or later as a souvenir. My gut feeling, just based on the nice aging of the piece and the original wood frame, was that it was from the period. Going through the 53rd NCB unit history published in 1946 I found a photograph taken in Guam of the same sign displayed with a cake celebrating 2 years overseas. Most likely this sign traveled with the unit as they island hopped across the pacific and hung on the door of their HQ. Sadly, the officer who brought it home passed away years ago. The 53rd was a very busy outfit serving with the 1st Marine Amphibious Corps at Bougainville and Guadalcanal and later on Guam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted November 6, 2017 Author Share #2 Posted November 6, 2017 Here's the same sign pictured in the 53rd NCB unit history published in 1946. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted November 6, 2017 Share #3 Posted November 6, 2017 Neat...a good looking sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted November 7, 2017 Share #4 Posted November 7, 2017 I agree its very cool! Super sign for the room! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kurt Barickman Posted November 10, 2017 Share #5 Posted November 10, 2017 Yes very nice display. Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share #6 Posted November 11, 2017 Thanks guys! I was very happy to find it. It's a nice piece of history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheMariner Posted November 11, 2017 Share #7 Posted November 11, 2017 That thing is awesome! I am always looking for nice seabee related items like this! I have never seen one like it! Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted November 11, 2017 Share #8 Posted November 11, 2017 That is fantastic! Probably hung in the HQ tent/hut/structure through the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted November 11, 2017 Author Share #9 Posted November 11, 2017 That is fantastic! Probably hung in the HQ tent/hut/structure through the war. That was my guess too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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