mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Share #1 Posted November 9, 2021 We had a surprise donation today - artifacts belonging to Private First Class William A. Topp (1925-2020) who served in the Marine Corps as a radar operator with the 18th Defense Battalion on Tinian in the Mariannas. Something occurred there that caused him to develop epilepsy and he was medically discharged in February 1945. Selective Service cards from 1945 and 1951 showing him as ineligible for enlistment. Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share #2 Posted November 9, 2021 William was a "Book Buddy" at Incarnation School - reading books to students for 20 years. One of his young Book Buddies was Alex Buckley, who grew up to be Second Lieutenant Buckley. At his commissioning ceremony, the Lieutenant choose to receive his first salute from William, who wore his WWII uniform for the occasion. Note Williams decidedly non-issue tie! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted November 9, 2021 Copies of his original discharge paperwork... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share #4 Posted November 9, 2021 ....some additional period printed material, including a Navy recruiting booklet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted November 9, 2021 Some miscellaneous items, including two 14k gold Ruptured Ducks, made by the by the Gordon B. Miller & Company, Cincinnati, OH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share #6 Posted November 9, 2021 ...a small Catholic Missal and a news article showing him wearing the greatcoat in this group... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted November 9, 2021 ..his greatcoat and Alphas look just as new as the day they were made.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvmhm Posted November 9, 2021 Author Share #8 Posted November 9, 2021 ...and the uniform's insignias...I was happy to see the Former Marine diamond when Susan took the blouse out of the garment bag...the plastic on the ribbons is perfect...the only thing "out of order" is his EGAs...they're facing the right way, but are obviously a mismatch.... As if this wasn't enough we got 6 more display cases donated this morning, and at tonight's Lions Club meeting a man told me to give him a call to pick up his Alphas and jumper(s) - he was a Navy Corpsman so that will check off another wanted item...and we've got a gorgeous painted A2 of a POW (B-17 ball turret gunner) coming....when it rains it pours. Mark sends Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ww2marine Posted November 9, 2021 Share #9 Posted November 9, 2021 Nice group! I love seeing pictures of these old guys wearing their uniform. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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