Came in a grouping of items that I currently have for sale in the "For Sale Groupings"  of William F. (Bill) Frazier, 2nd Bn, 5th Mar, 1st Marine Division. Frazier participated in the landing and securing of Tulagi then transferred to and fought on Guadalcanal from August to November 3rd 1942. On Nov. 3rd Frazier was wounded in the leg by explosive bullets from a Japanese Light Machine Gun at the 4th Battle of The Matanikau. He was evacuated and hospitalized at several stops until finally on February 7th, 1943 his leg couldn't be saved and had to be amputated.  I know this is not one of the approximately 50 original medals but was curious to get opinions about it.  Was it from the second batch of medals from the 2nd mold, a later awarded one or even a reunion piece?  Another Forum member suggested that I post it here for opinions. Thanks for looking.      

This is my Camp Very Company B photo. Captain William Low was stationed there from Jan 1909 to Jan 1911. This unit was about 95 men so this example might be the only example left or one of a very few. I don't know who the Marine is in the main photo.

I'm glad everyone likes the cap! It is definitely among the favorite items in my collection.    I pulled the cap specs from the 1886 regulations in the meantime too. 

Thank you very much for your message.

Didn't even think of that Ken. That's way better than any of my theories!

You're very welcome.  Col Woodward had a very long and admirable career.

The harness on the left looks to be an A-4 harness missing the back panel, the other on the right appears to be a RAF/RCAF Observer harness modified with a seat part from a T5?. Parachutes are a bit out of my depth so I could be way off though,    Wouldn't mind picking a harness and pack up for my troop carrier mannequin. 

What I really find fascinating about the interwar period is the rather lax approach to gear, tactics, and machinery. The "War to end all Wars" mentality really handicapped lots of countries post-WWI in a way that the Germans and Japanese were able to capitalize on. Comparing firearms, equipment, and machines really shows this. Its pretty much a bunch of refurbished and overhauled WWI gear for  a peacetime army. In comparison to the Germans in 1939 or Japanese in 1941, the US Army was woefully underequipped. I know that there were people involved who probably felt and saw the inadequacies, but its still interesting to see the disparities between the Axis and Allies in their equipment and the end result of the war. The Allies were forced to modernize at a speed that is amazing.

Not yet. The archive has expanded considerably since I originally acquired it, so I’m in the process of getting updated opinions.   Since the original evaluation, I’ve been able to add Lt. Andrews’ original Purple Heart, sterling pilot wings, pilot insignia, both original U.S. collar insignia, original marriage certificate, additional family correspondence, a 1944 Ninth Air Force press release issued shortly before he was shot down, and an original photograph of Andrews with Capt. Robert E. Douglas in France.   I’ve also uncovered additional research on his final combat, including German records relating to the engagement in which he was lost, as well as references to Andrews in Richard Groh’s history of the 367th Fighter Group, “The Dynamite Gang.”   What started as a medal group has evolved into a much larger research project and family archive. Every year it seems another piece of the story surfaces, and I suspect there is still more to learn about Andrews, his squadron, and the air battle in which he was lost.

I would love to see the engraving on the Purple Heart. Just wondering if it has script engraving like the DFC.    Kurt