520-73-11 Posted February 14, 2018 Share #1 Posted February 14, 2018 Finally I have some photos to share. The photos show some of the patches my Dad had collected. I presume at least some of these were his, but I have no idea what. I know you guys know WAY more than I do about this stuff... So please educate me! Obviously, the John Hood patch is for that destroyer. I presume my dad's ship was Tending it at some point- I don't see any other reason for it. New in the bag. As I'm typing this I recall he had a shore patrol arm band (blue with white SP on it) and a white leather belt that held a Billy club. I don't know if that was his, or he just "acquired" it, as some other items had made their way into his possession (such as a ship's compass??) Take a look, discuss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
520-73-11 Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted February 14, 2018 Here's the rest of them: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
520-73-11 Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted February 14, 2018 The first one, with the crossed anchors, is a "Boatswain's Mate". Based on Wikipedia anyway. Deck watch, exterior upkeep of the ship etc. The second one is "Gunner's mate". Not sure how this applies to a tender, although I assume there were some heavier guns on board. But further to the description is electric and hydraulic systems maintenance which might describe my dad. I guess he could have been either. Would a typical enlisted man change during his time in? And the star with the wings is (I think) USAAF, so must just be something he collected along the way. But the stripes are still a mystery. Rank, I assume but where are the various stripes applied? Why is there one larger red one in the collection? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearmon Posted February 14, 2018 Share #4 Posted February 14, 2018 The white diagonal stripes are E-1 and E-2 and E-3 Seaman Recruit, Seaman Apprentice and Seaman, the long diagonal red stripes are for years of service 4 years each stripe so a total of 12 not sure what the smaller white and red are, they could be Seaman (white), and Fireman (red) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
520-73-11 Posted February 14, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted February 14, 2018 Thank you Sir! The red (years in) are clearly not his. He was only in four years. But thank you for verifying that. I believe I've seen those (type) stripes displayed between elbow and wrist, yeah? Do the white diagonal stripes correlate in any way to the rate stripe, or is that a separate ranking system? Would you have a rate patch as well as the diagonal stripes, or separately? Old photos I've seen (not of my Dad) seem to show either, but not both. But, I think the rate is on the left (only), so a photo only showing one side wouldn't tell the whole story. (I really am clueless about this stuff) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearmon Posted February 14, 2018 Share #6 Posted February 14, 2018 The ratings you show are E-4. A step above the seaman rank, both gunners mate and Bosun mate are Seaman rates, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
520-73-11 Posted February 16, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted February 16, 2018 Very good thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
520-73-11 Posted February 19, 2018 Author Share #8 Posted February 19, 2018 I found Dad's massive brass plaque this weekend (trying to) straighten up the basement... This thing is easily ten pounds of brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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