Hello everyone. I just wanted to introduce myself and share some of the information I have pieced together while researching my grandfather’s WWII service. I also have a few photos that I’m still trying to learn more about. Service - Name: Richard M. Johnson - Enlistment: 7 April 1942, Chicago, Illinois - Branch: U.S. Army – Corps of Military Police - Military Occupational Specialty: Combat Military Police – Motorcyclist (MOS 378) - Rank at Entry: Staff Sergeant - Rank at Separation: Master Sergeant Assignments & Units - 450th Military Police Company - 707th Military Police Battalion - 26th Infantry Division (“Yankee Division”) - Headquarters Company, 2621st Military Police Battalion - Attached to Allied Force Headquarters (AFHQ) – Office of the Provost Marshal Training - Camp Grant, Rockford, IL - Camp Edwards, MA - Camp Niantic, CT - Camp Kilmer, NJ Overseas Service Timeline - 5 September 1942: Departed U.S. - September 1942: Arrived in England - Dec 1942 – Apr 1944: Algiers, North Africa –   - Escort/security for senior Allied leaders (Eisenhower, Roosevelt, Churchill, Admiral King, Cordell Hull) - Apr 1944 – Feb 1945: Caserta, Italy, following - Campaigns: Rome–Arno Decorations & Recognition - European–African–Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 1 Bronze Battle Star - Good Conduct Medal - 5 Overseas Service Bars - 1 Service Stripe - Marksmanship badges: Pistol, Revolver, Thompson SMG Separation Details (11 October 1945) - Rank: Master Sergeant            

Please  I don't understand what are you referring at when you said:recent veterans and etc???

Well, that'll give me something to look forward to Steve.  I understand about being busy with outside stuff.  It's that time of year for sure.  Take care and God Bless!

Lots of pristine Schlueter helmets out there! 

I found out that it is a very rare RAF CIB  No. 27 squadron  with the painted mascot  " Nellie "  which was founded in WW1, then became famous during WW2  during the China, Burma, India and Malay theatre and is still in existence today.  I discovered that during the British Homefront the women short of materials began making the famous "Nellie"  from scraps calling it the Make Do toys for children.   It is a size 38 to 40 and it is for sale- though I would not wear it because it is becoming fragile

Many thanks. Nice photos  

Yes I removed the arms as well. I simply took a small knife and scissors and cut almost everything out, then took the garden hose to it to wash it off.

I just don't know where to go with this.  It is a toughie for sure!  The unfortunate thing with the damage on this is there is no easy way to repair it without altering the original appearance of the cap or replacing significant amounts of original material.  If I were going to attempt any repair, I would try to stitch the separation closed…tacking it first and then carefully stitching the separation from the inside or outside if I was unable to easily access the interior.  My concern is that looking at the condition of the cap I am worried that any stitch would simply pull through what appears to be rather dry-rotted looking material and this is an area where the stitching really needs to be tight to achieve the proper look thus exacerbating the problem.   If this cap is something extremely special in your collection (i.e. family piece or id'd/part of a grouping etc.) I'd leave it just as it is.  If not, I would consider leaving it as a place holder until something  better comes along.   I am in no way disparaging this hat...it is what it is and it has survived to this day!  I am just letting you know my opinion as someone who has repaired numerous visor caps over the years.  

Alamo City Militaria Expo Knights of Columbus Mikulski Hall 509 Schertz Parkway Schertz Texas 78154   https://www.acmemilexpo.com/show-info.html   General Admission - $5.00 Kids 12 and under - FREE   Free Parking!   Food and Drink available on site. ATM available on site.

By far "Johnny Got His Gun" (1938).    Highly recommend reading.    Wade