PIX by PETE Posted March 22, 2021 Share #1 Posted March 22, 2021 My name's Peter Walker from Brisbane Australia. Back in the late 1970's and early 1980's my late father, brother & I used to metal detect an old U.S Army camp by the name of Camp Cable which between 1942-44 had tens of thousands of troops pass through it. We found hundreds of interesting items from Military to personal including dog tags and distinctive unit insignia (DUI). In recent times I have started to investigate many of the DUI's we found and have been able to find the units that they belonged to through hours of searching on the internet. This is where I hope that someone may be able to assist me with my inquiry? Attached are 2 photos and a drawing of a mess kit lid (Dixie) which on the top side has the initial F along with the numbers 6687engraved on it. On the underside it has an image that looks like a unit patch id or a DUI with the name Fowlers engraved on it. I know that the 32nd Division with its units the 126th, 127th & 128th Infantry, as well the 120th, 121st & 126th Field Artillery were at Camp Cable. I have been able to discover over the last few years that the 1st Marine Div, the 158th RCT, the 147th & 148th Field Artillery Regiments and the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment to name a few were also at Camp Cable. I know that there were hundreds of patches and DUI's used by different Divisions and units in WW2 and this mess kit lid was from the Pacific theater and with a name like Fowlers and the lighting bolts coming out of what looks like a skull being held by an Eagle with outstretched wings, I was thinking it could have something to do with a Signals unit or Para Marines that were part of the 1st Marine Division? I hope that someone can shed some light on this for me. Regards Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted March 22, 2021 Share #2 Posted March 22, 2021 Hi Peter - I believe your mess kit lid belonged to James E. Fowler, who enlisted on 4/5/1943, from Licking, Ohio. ASN: 352166687, which would make his laundry number the “F6687” that you see engraved on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIX by PETE Posted March 22, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted March 22, 2021 Hi and thanks for getting back to me. Would happen to know what branch and unit James E. Fowler served with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blacksmith Posted March 22, 2021 Share #4 Posted March 22, 2021 I wish I did brother. I did some quick searches, which didn’t turn up anything. I will continue to look, and post any discoveries. Once the NARA opens back up to researchers (happened already?), you could request his records - which hopefully survived the fire in the 70s. Best of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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