I have the 1 May 1942 Nav-37 report for USS Yorktown which lists all officers and warrants and their assignments, right down to cabin and phone numbers. Virgil Redman does not appear on same so we know he was still a ChPhM (Chief Pharmacist Mate – a CPO) then. Interestingly, he does not, however, appear on a list of enlisted survivors I have as of 10 Jun 1942. We also do not see him in the 1942 USN register, so he was still a ChPhM as of 30 June 1942. We see him in the July 1943 USN register as CPhm (Chief Pharmacist – a commissioned warrant rank) with a date of rank of 1 April 1943. His permanent status is noted as enlisted. We can see that his date of entry is also noted as 1 April 1943 which means he went directly to commissioned warrant status, skipping the non-commissioned warrant rank. Probably had a lot to do with his obvious length of service. In the 1944 USN register he still shows up as a CPhm. Then, in the 1945 USN register he is listed as a LTJG (HC) with a date or rank of 15 October 1944. He does not show up in the 1947 USN Register.   All of this has interesting ramifications. It looks as though he, with 30 plus years of service, probably retired. Not a few of these mustangs reverted to enlisted status after the war (again, something they had to request), but I cannot find where he did so. What it does mean is that under the law, whether he reverted or not, he could, if he so desired, retire at the highest rank held. With his length of service he could retire as a LTJG with the retired pay and emoluments of same, 75% pay, as opposed to that of a CPO . . . could have made a difference financially.

The patch appears to be a post-war reproduction, likely sold through Boots Quarterly. While collectible, it’s not an original wartime piece.

This looks like a theatrically/artificially aged helmet.

. Hi Kat,   the thing about my Shoebox is I am still finding things I had forgotten about, a couple of days ago I found my jars of buttons and parts for repairing clothing and equipment.   Have you ever seen these items before, I will give you a few days to think about it and answer in a couple of posts time . . . .  if you haven't guessed it. Others may already know the answer . . . . . . .        Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 20 March  2O26.   …  

Thanks, jmd62, here’s another bullion patch:  

. A little fun visiting friends houses . . . . . . . .   I have a local couple here who listen to UK radio, whenever they listened to radio or watched television for events regarding Queen Elizabeth their small Jack Russell would howl horrendously when he heard  God save the Queen played,  so secretly before leaving I would always command ' Alexa ' to play God save the queen in thirty minutes . . . . . . . .      Now if you can stand a little foul language, and there are NO children listening try this one,   '  Alexa say coffee bean one hundred in Welsh ' .   Remember I didn't encourage anyone to try this . . . . . . . . . .    Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 20 March  2O26.   …  

The thing I love most about your shoebox is that it contains items I have never seen.    ...Kat

well, it was with him when he was commanding his company in the 29th at St. Lo and was injured.....I also have the map case he carried it in. 

. From my small Shoebox Collection.   Early 1970's I got into collecting militaria following the purchase of my first Jeep.  London had many militaria dealers opening up around this time.  Chris Farlowe a UK singer in the British charts diversified his earnings, when he toured America he would return with substantial amounts of surplus and militaria, he ran a store in London called ' Call to Arms ' when he wasn't out touring.  I bought this folding candle lantern from him mid 70's, he had an original cardboard carton of them.           Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, 20 March  2O26.   …      

If you look in the lower left corner you’ll see ‘Geographical Section General Staff’. This was the part of the British War Office responsible for map making. It was supplied by the Brits to the US to be reproduced and distributed for their own use. Many European maps were likewise. They were produced in huge quantities. The British print run of November 1943 alone was 100,000 copies. General topographical maps covering France and the Low Countries were being printed months in advance of the invasion and stockpiled. Maps of the relevant Overlord areas were issued at the last moment in sealed packages. So it’s not rare, but the value is in your family’s connection.