The Rooster Posted July 28, 2019 Share #1 Posted July 28, 2019 Greetings all, I scored this lid today. Seller said it was used in the Pacific in WW2. Curiously had it labeled as a ww1 M17. But in reading description.. Seller mentioned it was used in the Pacific. Opinions appreciated. Incised like BugMe was telling me about ! Looks ike 64 th Thank You. Rooster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted July 28, 2019 Author Share #2 Posted July 28, 2019 2 3 4 5 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navybean Posted July 28, 2019 Share #3 Posted July 28, 2019 I think it is a M1917A1. Used very early in WW2, you see them in pictures from Pearl Harbor, Wake, Philippines, etc... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Der Finn Posted July 28, 2019 Share #4 Posted July 28, 2019 Nice helmet! Looks like a great research project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aef1917 Posted July 28, 2019 Share #5 Posted July 28, 2019 It's a British-made shell, which was updated with the m1917a1 liner prior to 1937. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickman983 Posted July 28, 2019 Share #6 Posted July 28, 2019 I saw this one as well. I wasn't certain about the markings though so I held off. As for the shell itself it's not uncommon to see M1917s converted into M1917A1s which were common early in WWII Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted July 28, 2019 Author Share #7 Posted July 28, 2019 The red trimmed rank reminded me of the USMC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yp221 Posted July 28, 2019 Share #8 Posted July 28, 2019 Great looking helmet, here's your guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BEAST Posted July 28, 2019 Share #9 Posted July 28, 2019 I think this is your man! https://www.facebook.com/PacificWrecks/photos/some-5th-air-force-serviceman-requested-a-second-combat-tour-in-the-south-west-p/10154046572365382/ Note that he served in the 64th Squadron and was a S/SGT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 28, 2019 Share #10 Posted July 28, 2019 Source: Fold3 Source: NARA Source: WWII Memorial Website Source: FamilySearch.org > > Publication: Kingsport Times-News Location: Kingsport, Tennessee Issue Date: Sunday, January 28, 1945 Page: Page 22 Convey Sighted By O.C. Duncan Leads To Battle A Kingsport youth, T/Sgt. Oscar C. Duncan, was one of the first crew members of two: Fifth Air Force photo reconnaissance planes to sight two great convoys October 21, discovery of which led to the great Naval battle of Leyte Gulf. Duncan was turret gunner on a B-24 mapping plane piloted by First Lieutenant John H. Wooten, Navasota, Texas, one of the photo reconnaissance planes of the Dumbo unit of the 20th photo organization in the Southwest Pacific, which was on routine mission to southern Luzon, Sighting of the first convoy was made by the navigator on Lieut. Woolen's plane, First Lieutenant Jay E. Robbins, of Grants Pass, Ore. This was immediately confirmed by the nose gunner, Staff Sergeant Edwin P. Stevens, Mountain-Lakes, N. J. The convoy was photographed. Flying south to locate an airstrip on Panay Island, the two planes, detouring from their regular course sighted the second convoy off the southwest coast Negros Island. Of this discovery Sergeant Duncan,"I was looking for carrier planes and possibly the carriers themselves. At first I couldn't believe my eyes and called Lieutenant Wooten to look. He and Lieutenant Robbins, who had discovered the first convoy, both confirmed that it was a convoy and we prepared to make our run over it," "We crowed in front of it, circled to the right of it, made our run, then returned. We still weren't positive it was Japs so we challenged them. They anewered with a burst of gunfire but none of the bullets hit the ship. We radioed ? then got the hell out of there fast." Of that first sighting of the convoy Lieut. Woolen related, "we had been flying through cloud formation at 30,000 feet and bad broken out over the Tablas Strait southeast of Mindoro Island. None of us were expecting anything like we saw but had been warned that there might be enemy carrier activity in this area. The sighting by Robbins and Stevens were confirmed by recognizing the pagoda type meats of the Japanese ?. We made a run over the convoy taking pictures. It was en route to our assignment target so we continued to the target after making the first run. The target was obscured by clouds so we turned back and made another run over the convoy. Photo interpretation later reported that there were six cruisers, eight destroyers, nine freighters, three transports and one battleship in the first convoy and three battleships, one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, and two destroyers in the second convoy. Source: http://varney.yolasite.com/xxrs.php 20th Combat Mapping Squadron This was the plane and crew Edwin P. Stevens was in. It doesn't show his name here but according to one of the newspaper articles previously posted, he was part of First Lieutenant John H. Wooten's crew. Remember, he and the Navigator sighted the convoy that kicked off the battle of Leyte Gulf. He's in the picture below. The S/Sgt stripes on the helmet match with the Edwin Stevens, the nose gunner as the article mentions him as a S/Sgt. The 64th was assigned to the 43d Bombardment Group, 15 January 1941 – 29 April 1946. In the one WWII Memorial screen shot I posted, it shows Edwin P. Stevens served with the 43rd Bomb Group. Great catch Dave. It’s starting to make sense a little now. The stations of the 43rd are right exactly in the area where Edwin was, that is, New Guinea and Leyte area. Also found this. The date of birth matches. That helmet is for sure Edwin Paul Steven's helmet. Other notes: On the front of the cart the guy is pulling on the helmet, there appears to me to be two dice, one on top of the other. I believe the top dice indicates the number 4 and the bottom dice indicates the number 3, therefore 43rd. Also, the colors on the shield are gold and blue which is the same colors used on the patch for the 43rd. The patch also as that type of scroll as seen on the helmet with his initials in it. Source: https://www.kensmen.com/ Source: https://www.kensmen.com/ Source: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/histnfacts/publications/measure/pdf/1991_01-02.pdf Source: http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/abouthp/histnfacts/publications/measure/pdf/1969_12.pdf Source: http://hparchive.com/measure_magazine/HP-Measure-1973-08-09.pdf Source: https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/gladys-stevens-obituary?pid=148175738 Gladys Irene Stevens Our beautiful mother, Gladys Irene Stevens, passed from this life on Friday, January 7, 2011. She was born in Australia, on June 14, 1923, and came to America as a war bride after marrying Edwin Paul Stevens, who served in the United States Air Force. She proudly served in the Australian Woman's Army during the World War II. Mom loved life and taught us how to celebrate all that life has to offer. Her hands were made to create, she sewed, knitted and crocheted, made lace and canned chairs. Our dinner table expanded to welcome whoever came to the door. Mom loved all growing things. She gardened and delighted in the birds that came, like small children, to her feeders. She was loved by people of all ages; a testament to her open heart and the ability to find goodness and common ground in all. She loved the gentle teachings of Thich Nhat Hahn, mediated, practiced yoga and tai chi and sang with sufis. Mom will be greatly missed and remembered by her three daughters, Judy Alderon, Jeri Kastner and her husband, Ted, and Anne Stevens; her grandchildren, Kylie and Dane Alderson, Jessica Kastner, Sara Rose Schmidt and John Schmidt; four great-grandchildren, Allen, Jake, Darren and Tristan; and of course her beloved dog, "Honey". Her family in Australia and so many wonderful, caring friends will miss her and treasure her memory. We will miss you, mom, but our hearts will awaken with the passing of winter and find you in the blossom of spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted July 28, 2019 Author Share #11 Posted July 28, 2019 Wow!!! Great Pic!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 28, 2019 Share #12 Posted July 28, 2019 Oh, did I forget to mention....that's a great looking helmet! Congrats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted July 28, 2019 Author Share #13 Posted July 28, 2019 Wow!!!! Thank you Matt! And thank you everyone. Amazing!!! And Il repost the pic from the link from BEAST. You can see the top part of his tatoo in post #26. Thank you !!!! Wow!!! Thank you for all that great info MAtt! Amazing!!!! Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 28, 2019 Share #14 Posted July 28, 2019 You're welcome Dave. I know you'll be proud to own that helmet for sure. Also from the Facebook link BEAST posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 28, 2019 Share #15 Posted July 28, 2019 You can see the top part of his tatoo in post #26. Yessir, you sure can. Good eye Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 28, 2019 Share #16 Posted July 28, 2019 Decided to actually check the Pacificwrecks.org website for any other info about Ed "Lucky" Stevens and the links below have information mentioning his name. https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-2662.html https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-2464.html https://www.pacificwrecks.com/aircraft/b-17/41-24355.html Also, here's another pic with him in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralCheese Posted July 28, 2019 Share #17 Posted July 28, 2019 Wow, fantastic helmet and fantastic amount of history. I forgot to bid on it, but I'm glad someone here got it for a steal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thunderbolts45 Posted July 28, 2019 Share #18 Posted July 28, 2019 Truely an incredible helmet with great history behind it. Congrats, glad it's in a good home and not rusting away in someone's basement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kanemono Posted July 28, 2019 Share #19 Posted July 28, 2019 That is an amazing helmet! You should send for his records, hopefully they were not destroyed in the fire. Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cagedfalcon Posted July 28, 2019 Share #20 Posted July 28, 2019 Great helmet & history to go with it. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plick27 Posted July 28, 2019 Share #21 Posted July 28, 2019 Great helmet and even better story Nice work Matt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted July 28, 2019 Author Share #22 Posted July 28, 2019 Great helmet and even better story Nice work Matt I have to second that Matt. Great work sleuthing all of that out. Thank you Sir!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aznation Posted July 29, 2019 Share #23 Posted July 29, 2019 You're welcome Dave, and thanks plick27. Again, what a stellar helmet to have acquired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GITom1944 Posted July 30, 2019 Share #24 Posted July 30, 2019 Just seeing this... Great helmet and research! Some observations: Stevens enlisted before Pearl Harbor when this style of helmet was the norm. He may had this from the start or early part of his service. Pre-war and early war, Army vehicles sported serial numbers painted Blue Drab. Looks like Stevens' serial number was painted this color in a style similar to that used on vehicles. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted August 10, 2019 Share #25 Posted August 10, 2019 Love Unique Kelly Helmets and wow what great history to go with it!! Nice find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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