Well, you do have the most popular topic by far on the forum named after you 🤭    

Stood watch behind one of these too. I worked as a deckhand for Cross Sound Ferry between New London, CT and Orient Point on Long Island aboard the Cape Henlopen. She was previously known as LST-510 and is a D-Day veteran. She still has her Sperry helm. The helmsman is given the choice of using the modern jogstick or the old Sperry wheel. 

I’ve run a 36 footer, 36500 to be specific. Gotta be careful when you go astern. The rudder will spin that wheel if you don’t have a good grip on it and bust your hand.

Count me in as interested. Keep’em coming. Throw in some compass binnacles and engine order telegraphs. 

Well I've seen white, gray and blue but never red. Maybe got in the wash with something red. Very cool picture thanks for posting.

Courtesy of Naval History and Heritage Command 80-G-K-4513 (Color) USS Missouri (BB-63)   Band concert on main deck, during the ship's shakedown period, circa August 1944.

Welcome to the forum! My own grandfather served with 397th Infantry Regiment during the war and the 100th as a whole is the main focus of my collecting.

. Hi Johan,   How funny you should say that, only this morning while shaving and showering I looked in the mirror and thought for a change it wasn't my father looking back but Phil Collins . . . . . .    Still it would have been nice to look into my bank account and see Phil Collins account with my name on it . . . . . . . wonder if I will ever be recognised as an honorary contributor to this forum.  🤣 🤣 🤣   Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, June 28  2O25.    ….

Well, that's not what I wanted to hear, LOL! Thank you for your reply, have a great weekend!!

Just realized this vest is in Martin Brayley's book Modern Body Armour. Looks like it was an experimental lightweight version of the M69. I'm assuming from around 1972 based on the model number.   If anyone has any further info, let me know.