WWII Navy M1 Helmet - Identified

[Alex Boban]

 

I recently grabbed this helmet from an online seller in PA.

 

The shell is a McCord FS FB with heat stamp 687D (October 43), original factory paint, texture and OD3 Chinstrap. The liner is a Westinghouse.

 

The service man’s last name and initials are stenciled on the front and back of the shell, which is fairly common practice on Navy lids.

 

I looked him up on Fold3, and this sailor only appears in a couple Navy muster rolls entries.

Both entries are from LST-294 sailing passenger lists. The first entry is dated March, 25th 1944 and has 'Beach Battalion'  listed in the title block. 

 

The second entry is dated March 29th, 1944 and indicates that he was received from NOB Londonderry, NI (Northern Ireland), and his status is listed as 'FFT', which I believe stands for 'For Further Transfer'.

The earliest entry for the following month is on the 17th, where the ship records a single man transferred to US Naval Advanced Amphibious Base, Milford Haven, Wales.

 

I can only speculate that LST-294 left Londonderry sometime in early April 1944 and travelled to Milford Haven, where our sailor disembarked the ship.

 

I am considering ordering his file from the National Archives once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

I have only ordered Army service men records in the past. What type of documents can I expect for a Navy sailor?  Were Navy records also affected by the 1973 NPRC fire?

Thanks for your help,

[Nickman983]

Very nice helmet. Regarding your question on the archives, my understanding is the only army records were damaged in the fire. If you get his records you should get whatever is on file.

[shadawg]

as far as a navy record goes, i had received full enlistment documentation, identification photo, med history, changes of station, and the typical discharge documentation. if his record still exists, you should be able to get a full comprehensive kit like that 

[stealthytyler]

 

[Alex Boban]

Thank you guys for the info!