Question from a Land-Lubber, Artificer Branch sailor strike in a Seaman branch?

[tthen]

I'm interested in a jumper of an Artificer sailor striking in a Seaman branch. This might be a dumb question but was that done? Or am I missing something?

[Justin B.]

I'm not sure where you're getting the artificer part.

[tthen]

You're right, I was looking at the white shoulder stripe forgetting that the Seaman branch had the same white stripe. Just needed to pull my head out of my sweetheart.

Thank you. 

[tthen]

Not sweetheart! got to love the edit.

[DD937]

I could be a bit off on this but the Gunners Mate Specialty mark should mean he went to Gunners Mate school. I have a white top just like this with no name this one should have a name stenciled in it. It would be fascinating to see what his record says. I would assume that he helped send rounds down range on at least one invasion, Here is a list of vessels he could have served on.

[DD937]

I hope you pursue the research on this sailor, this article is from All Hands Magazine which is an official navy publication intended to disperse correct information to sailors.

[sigsaye]

Ok. Gunners Mate, IS, part of the Seaman Branch, so there is nothing to see here. GMs, maintained weapons and ammunition. They served in magazines, to ensure proper ammunition handling by the magazine crews. There was generally a GM assigned to each turret to do emergency repairs if something malfunctioned in the turret, or assigned to a section of smaller (3 inch, 40 mm, 20mm) guns, to oversee their operation. Gun crews were made up of Deck and Supply Sailors. Trigger pulling (on turreted guns), was done by the Fire Control Men. All guns could also be fired locally, but mostly through Gun Plot by the FCs. This is a beautiful jumper. 

[sigsaye]

Artificers were maintenance and repair types. Figure mostly engineering. And it was very common to shift between groups. My father was a Seaman Second Class ( pre 1948, E-2). He was snatched up by the Chief Quartermaster to work on the bridge and stand Signal Watches. He hated it and wanted to learn a “Useful Trade”. He converted to Fireman Second Class and qualified as an Electricians Mate Striker. He went on to spend the rest of his 20 years as an EM. Interestingly, when dad retired, he went into the restaurant business. My uncle, who served 20 years as a Commissary Steward, retired and became a Cop. I did 26 as an SM and went into logistics. 

[DD937]

As stated this sailor could have worked in the magazines, loaded guns or hopefully shot rounds at the beachhead, he did however participate in something interesting.

[tthen]

I ended up getting this jumper. Will post more when I receive it.

Thanks for the help and comments.