Jump to content

WWII USN Aviator Questions


USMC_COLLECTOR
 Share

Recommended Posts

USMC_COLLECTOR

Hey! This is my Great-Grandfather, just have a series of questions for things I can't seem to figure out quite yet.

What life vest model is this?

What model of helmet?

And would he be wearing navy, or usmc boondockers?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

IMG_20220114_175855.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi USMC_Collector,

 

The vest your great grandfather is wearing is an earlier war USN MK I life vest. In the photo the goggles he is wearing look like USN MKII goggles. They may however be AN-6530 goggles.  A closer view may be able to determine which ones.  Knowing that he is wearing the earlier MKI vest, my money would be on a bet that the goggles are MKII's. I'll let the more more experienced forum members answer the helmet question.  

 

Can you give us a little more information about your grandfather?  Such as the unit(s) he flew with.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

USMC_COLLECTOR

Sure, It says here in a commendation paper, that he was with Air Group 9 at Tarawa connected to Torpedo Squadron 9. He was stationed as a rear gunner for the Avenger Torpedo Bomber on the USS Essex. I believe he was awarded the Air Medal, as well as the Essex receiving a Presidential Citation.

 

19 minutes ago, Scarecrow said:

Hi USMC_Collector,

 

The vest your great grandfather is wearing is an earlier war USN MK I life vest. In the photo the goggles he is wearing look like USN MKII goggles. They may however be AN-6530 goggles.  A closer view may be able to determine which ones.  Knowing that he is wearing the earlier MKI vest, my money would be on a bet that the goggles are MKII's. I'll let the more more experienced forum members answer the helmet question.  

 

Can you give us a little more information about your grandfather?  Such as the unit(s) he flew with.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Great images and story! 

 

Your Great-Grandfather is wearing as Paul wrote a 23P6 (collector name is MKI) early war life vest,  probably summer M450 helmet (hard to say in 100%) from photo and AN6530 goggle. Similar to MKII but I guess they are AN6530 from the second photo:

image.png.f865cd7d018ec1e5cebfe81fecc82e5d.png

 

He can use a wide variety of shoes: boondockers, gym shoes, brown dress shoes or Jodhpurs boots. A lot of possibilities here.

 

Looks like his side arm is .45 1911 colt with custom made lanyard and double magazine pouch:

image.png.cd635441fb249470a458ca7a880e4ad1.png

 

The silk maps are interesting. They looks more like standard paper targets maps stored in a plotting board. First time I ever seen examples made from silk?

image.png.b1d1418da95572ddded6c4f32fcea532.pngimage.png.c11e05dfb39f26f08414679cda4454cd.png

image.png.0652f176af8b431b31d8d2ec98ddd9fd.png

 

take care,

Jerry

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Small correction in my previous post about footwear. I missed a point that he was  a rear gunner. For enlisted man the black deck shoes were more accurate vs  brown dress shoes or Jodhpurs boots which were reserved for officers.

 

My bad :)

 

Jerry

Link to comment
Share on other sites

USMC_COLLECTOR

I couldn't find anymore photos in his flight gear, but I have one in his dungarees, and on when he was apart of the civilian air patrol.

9 hours ago, jerry_k said:

Small correction in my previous post about footwear. I missed a point that he was  a rear gunner. For enlisted man the black deck shoes were more accurate vs  brown dress shoes or Jodhpurs boots which were reserved for officers.

 

My bad :)

 

Jerry

 

Copy of Grandpa Reedie (1).jpg

IMG_20220116_181749.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...