Indeed, they do look amazingly similar! In fact ours has the letters "CO" on either sides of the back of the helmet. Do you think if it was from a commander of VA-164, it would be possible to track down his jet? It sure would be nice detail to add to the display. Since the gear is on loan from the Navy, I have been considering contacting the Naval History and Heritage Command to see if they might have any additional information on it.

For sure! Sending a PM over your way!

This appears to be a piece of WW1 artwork on a pocket watch cover or a compass. It was given to my husband by his stepfather, a WW2 and Korean War veteran, who had gotten it from a fellow many years before.  What unit was the maker with? and do the initials S.F. other inside have any meaning? Thanks in advance, Hollis  

This is the information we have on the panel, one of the members put it together and donated it for display years ago, it was his job and his hobby. If'n you like, I could send you more pictures of the panel sometime. 

only if the senior specialist approves. lol

Appears to be a nickel-plated cover emblem that was converted... there's debate on what nickel emblems were for, but the dominant theory is that they were worn by members of the band.   If you have a name the Marine can be looked up in the Muster Rolls

Update.  I pulled the photo out of the frame and look.   I thought this was pretty cool.

Appreciate it! If interested, pm me and once I get copies of the memoirs made I can send one off to ya! 

Thanks Kurt! That is lost unfortunately . The family still had a picture of it , but his uniform and PH got lost out of storage. The other brother became ill and the storage fees weren’t paid on time. Nobodys fault at all, just unlucky! I keep my eye out for it . very pumped they had what they did!

Amazing grouping, that para knife is amazing and the account is one of the best I’ve read.