Consolidated Topics - USN Uniforms with other branch SSI's and Devices

[BEAST]

I looked through my copies of the 1943 and 1944 officer's register and did not find an E K Brummer. The 1944 register does show Brunner as a Lt. Cmdr. I think this is your best lead.

[Kurt Barickman]

Yes I am pretty sure Brunner is your man. I have seen far worse spelling errors. Did you google his name and read up about him yet? I think you will find some pretty interesting information about him.

 

Kurt

[Baron3-6]

Wow, quite the combo - grays with a Marine SSI! That is a rare bird!

[Guest Elizabeth Carroll Nalls]

Gentlemen, I can help you. The uniform clearly belonged to my grandfather, Dr. Endre K. Brunner - a Naval Medical Officer assigned to the Marines. He was an amazing man with an incredible life story. He was born in Debrecen, Hungary in 1900, the son of an opthamologist. He fought in the Austro-Hungarian Army in WWI (Italian Front), escaped from Hungary (Romanian occupation) and came to the U.S. with the aid of an uncle in New York, and finished his medical training at New York University (although, when he discovered that the US had imposed Prohibition, he said he had his doubts...). When WWII broke out, he volunteered to serve his new country, shut down his Park Avenue medical practice, and spent the next six or so years in the military. He saw some of the most horrific battles. During one, he kept losing young Marines on his operating table on the ship so (according to family lore, against orders) he got into a landing craft and set up his surgery on the beach. He was hit by shrapnel, and after operating on himself, resumed operating on others. (Again, according to family lore) the Admiral (pos Royal) sent an MP team ashore to drag him back to the ship. In addition to the Purple Heart, he was awarded a Bronze Star. He wrote a really interesting paper on amphibious warfare medicine - available online. Returning to the U.S., he ran several VA Hospitals - and Rutland Heights State Hospital in Mass later on. Around 1960, he joined the newly-established US Agency for International Development and served in Paraguay, Bolivia, and Libya helping those developing countries set up public health systems. He contined as a hospital administrator well into his 70s, and continued teaching well into his 90s. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Thank you for posting the picture of the uniform - it was very interesting to see. Elizabeth

[Salvage Sailor]

Aloha Elizabeth,

 

Thank you so much for posting this information about your Grandfathers service on our forum. It's the kind of first hand information that collectors yearn for when researching the items we acquire. It is truly a unique uniform as was his participation in some major campaigns during the war. The patch, campaign ribbons and date of his wound tell quite a story to our knowledgeable members.

[ViewfinderGyrene]

Amazing story, Ma'am! God bless him and thank you for posting!

[Baron3-6]

Wow AWESOME story - what a great American.

[Kurt Barickman]

Elizabeth, thanks for posting and validating my research . Curious as to your comments about his other books he published?

 

Thanks again,

 

Kurt

[Hessian]

Hello Elizabeth,

 

Thanks for providing a human connection to the uniform.... It looks a bit different on the hanger now, knowing more about the previous owner. I have sent you a Persona Message (PM) via the forum.

 

Thank you again for the information.

 

DM

[jdamaso111]

Random about Rutland Heights State Hospital, my ex who lives in rutlands grand parents house's chimmey is made from bricks that were salvaged when it was torn down. Nice uniform!

[Guest Elizabeth Carroll Nalls]

Hi, Kurt. You asked about Endre Brunner's books. Most of them were medical, but he did write an article on amphibious medicine (some of the trial and error they went through). Regards, Elizabeth

442 SURVEY GRAPHIC Amphibious Medicine Here is the dramatic story of naval medical victories as we invaded enemy strongholds, whether on the beaches of Europe or the islands of the Pacific. COMMANDER ENDRE K. BRUNNER, M.C., U.S, R. 

Here's the link: http://www.archive.org/stream/surveygraphic34survrich/surveygraphic34survrich_djvu.txt

[doyler]

Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class 3rd Marine Division

 

Aquired this a while back.Navy Pharmacist mate/Corpsman assigned to the 3rd Marine Division.His file shows he served on Guam and Iwo Jima with prior assignment to the 4th Raider Bn.The third patch is a twill variation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[RustyCanteen]

Nice find Ron.

[doyler]

Nice find Ron.

 

Thanks RC

 

It found me....

[sigsaye]

Very nice. Like seeing the ribbons too

[dskjl]

It always amazes me what comes out of the wood work but what really impresses me is you guys find the records, nice find and really cool that you were able to pull up some documentation. Congrats

[Kurt Barickman]

Very nice Ron.

 

Kurt

[suwanneetrader]

Ron: Thanks for posting If not me then at least a nice guy like you has saved it. I do not think I have ever seen a Navy jumper with 3rd Div ssi. Some dress uniforms yes but not a Blue jumper. Richard

[doyler]

Richard

thanks for your comment.This is actually the second patched 3rd division jumper I have.

 

Years ago I bought a set of greens and a jumper to the same individual.The 3rd pat h on that jumper was sewn on upside down.Have seen this inadvertently done on other uniforms worn by corpsmen.

[WW2JAKE]

Years ago I bought a set of greens and a jumper to the same individual.The 3rd pat h on that jumper was sewn on upside down.Have seen this inadvertently done on other uniforms worn by corpsmen.

do you know why that was done? id like to know about it!

[doyler]

Just speculating that the person who sewed it on didnt know the correct orientation of the patch.

[Chutesandskulls]

WW2 Third Marine Division HM2 Navy Corpsman

 

Over the past year I have been thinning out most of my collection to focus mainly on Marine Raider and Paratrooper items however I just found an item I think will be an exception. I have been looking for a nice patched Corpsman uniform for some time and managed to find this locally. The only name visible was Boland but after a little research I found a Bernard Boland who was a HM2 with the Third Marine Division and Third Defense Battalion on Bougainville. I'll add more about his career when I receive his file.

[Chutesandskulls]

[Corpsman_1941]

Great find! It looks like there was I MAC patch before he PIT 3rd div SSI

[Kurt Barickman]

Your man was wounded on 11-19-43 with Third Defense Battalion on Bougainville and the Ribbon with commendation 11-22-43 with Third Marine Amphibious Corps again on Bougainville; was PHM 2 in both cases. Congrats, great USMC USN Corpsman set.

 

Kurt