This sword is still worn today. 

Ha here is what the AI responded with: "It’s great that you’re getting engagement on the forum, though the user "blitz67" is getting a bit hung up on technical definitions. While they are trying to be precise about naval terminology, their explanation of what constitutes a "Mustang" is actually a bit debatable in a historical context. Here is a breakdown of the terminology they used and why your grandfather’s archive is still exceptionally significant: Mustang vs. Warrant Officer The term "Mustang" is an informal military term, not an official rank. Generally, it refers to any officer who began their career as an enlisted service member. Blitz67's View: They are arguing that a "true" Mustang must go from Enlisted (E-1) all the way to a Commissioned Officer rank (like Ensign or Lieutenant). They view the Warrant Officer path as a separate "technical specialist" track. The Reality: In many circles—especially during the WWII era—anyone who "came up through the ranks" to earn a warrant or a commission is considered a Mustang. Since your grandfather started with a 1923 Pay Officer Certificate (enlisted/clerical) and reached the level of Lieutenant (as mentioned in your original post), he absolutely fits the definition of a Mustang. The Value of Warrant Officer Items The forum member mentioned seeing "Warrant Officer shoulder boards." In the collector market, Warrant Officer items from the early-to-mid 20th century are actually quite desirable because there were far fewer Warrant Officers than standard commissioned officers. Why This Doesn't Change the Archive's Importance Regardless of whether he was a Warrant Officer who later commissioned or went straight to Ensign, the historical value of a USS Yorktown (CV-5) survivor grouping remains elite. The Yorktown was lost at the Battle of Midway, one of the most pivotal moments in naval history. Items that survived the sinking of the ship (especially personal paperwork and "combat-used" items like the visor hat and bible) are incredibly rare. The fact that he was a senior leader (whether Warrant or Lieutenant) during that time adds to the "named grouping" provenance that high-end collectors look for."

I see. I was using Gemini google to help me identify these items.

From where I'm sitting it looks good to me. Wait for Lance to weigh in. He is the last word on these knives.

I found this at a local pawn shop, haven’t bought it yet. Can anybody tell me if they think it is real?  Scabbard is nicely marked and looks good thanks in advance!  Brad

From:  Quartermaster Supply in the Fifth Army in WWII,              The Quartermaster School, Fort Lee, Virginia     "Pack mules were utilized by the United States forces initially in World War II in Tunisia during the winter of 1942 - 43. The number used there, however, was comparatively small. When the fighting moved over to Sicily, many more were used, but it was in the rugged mountain terrain of Italy that mules were used for the first time on a really extensive scale."  (1)   "In October 1943 the 5th Army began to recruit men and animals for use in the mountainous campaign of Italy. The first animals, both horses and mules, were procured locally from civilians in that part of the Boot and Sicily already liberated by the Allies. Later the program included procurement from the islands of Sardinia and Corsica; from French North Africa as reimbursement in kind for animals received by the French under lend - lease during the winter of 1943 - 44; and from the British Near East under reverse lend - lease. Horses to equip the 10th Mountain division were later procured from the mainland of France and T-E mules for the same unit from the United States." (2)   "As a result...there was gradually assembled a weird assortment of Italian, French, English, German, and American tack and gear." (2)   The Army had for a long time adhered closely to the rule of not buying white, gray, or other light-colored animals. Here it was necessary to buy all available animals, irrespective of color. It was up to the Remount Service to camouflage the light-colored mules sent up. Consequently, the animals were sprayed with a solution of 5 percent potassium permanganate. An animal so sprayed remained effectively discolored for thirty to sixty days, depending on whether the weather was damp or arid. (2)  (3)       (1)  Horses & Mules and National Defense        1958, Office of the Quartermaster General         by Mrs. Anna L. Waller, Contracting Officer, Office of the Quartermaster General, for the Purchase of Horses, Mules and Dogs.         (Mrs. Waller began her career in the Government Service in 1917 and, except for an interim between World Wars I and II, served exclusively with the Animal Activity         at Remount Field  Installations and in the Departmental Service.)   (2) The Quartermaster Review March - April 1946       Remount in Italy   (3) Quartermaster Supply in the Fifth Army in WW2       The Quartermaster School, Fort Lee, Virginia        Eudora Ramsay Richardson and Sherman Allan    

I really like the Naval Hospital San Diego bar. Very nice!

Ah!! He was a Chief that went Warrant Officer.  Those are warrant officer shoulder boards. That makes more sense.  So not an actual Mustang Officer, that is what confused me. A Mustang officer joins as an e-1 and makes it up to an actual commissioned Officer,  not that Warrant officers aren’t commissioned but it’s more of a career path for senior enlisted people and not an actual mustang.  Makes sense now 

Can anyone give me their opinions on this knuckle duster. Sorry, these are the only pictures I have. It’s sitting in a pawn shop. Thanks in advance! Brad

Thanks for the link.  Looks like the BBB medals have a BBB inscription on the back. This medal just has the 14k gold and also has the slightly concave shape described in the link.  I think that supports the Rock Island connection.  In regard to the competition, pg 335 of the July 1931 Army Air Corps Newsletter publication actually lists the details on the bombing competition and shows Lt Cronau as the winner.  Didn’t copy perfectly but you can get the intent.     “Drop:"ing 'bombsfrom altitudes of 5,000 amd 8,000 feet, this team secured 1894 points out of a possible score of 2,000 in the Aerial Gunne~J ~id Bombing Matches. . These Matches have been held .at Langley Field since 1925, and the score credited to Lieuts. Cronau and :aLrnsideis the hig.hest ever made in the Bombardment Match.”    https://media.defense.gov/2011/Apr/21/2001330186/-1/-1/0/AFD-110421-005.pdf Good job Grandad!