Lieutenant Joseph A. Carnevale 2nd Platoon, Company B. 393rd Infantry Regiment. 99th Infantry Division.   Joseph Anthony Carnevale was born on August 4, 1913, in Mount Vernon, New York, United States. He graduated in 1935 from La Salle Military Academy and the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he entered the United States Army. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and concluded his service with the rank of captain.   From 1942 until August 1944, Lieutenant Carnevale served as executive officer of a rifle company in the 140th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division. He was responsible for the administration and training of the company and trained personnel from other branches to become infantrymen. In August 1944, he requested “Preparation for Overseas Replacement,” stating that no promotions were available in the regiment and that he had served two years in grade, including six months as a company commander, and therefore felt entitled to an overseas assignment.   On September 3, 1944, Lt. Carnevale was transferred to the 99th Infantry Division at Camp Maxey. He deployed overseas later that month with the 2nd Platoon, Company B, 393rd Infantry Regiment, arriving in Europe on October 10, 1944.   On November 8, 1944, Company B, 393rd Infantry Regiment, relieved elements of the 9th Infantry Division near the twin villages of Rocherath–Krinkelt.   On November 14, Major General Walter E. Lauer, commanding general of the 99th Infantry Division, and Major General Leonard T. Gerow, commanding general of V Corps, paid a notable visit to the front line. There, they spoke personally with 1st Lt. Joseph A. Carnevale and discussed operational plans with him, an exceptional distinction and responsibility for an officer of his rank so close to the fighting. Technician Fifth Grade Robert P. Runyan of the 165th Signal Photo Company took the well-known photograph of the two officers standing side by side. This moment was also captured on motion-picture film, in which Major General Leonard T. Gerow can also be seen.   On December 13, 1944, the 2nd Platoon was selected to conduct a diversionary attack in support of the 395th Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Infantry Division’s assault into the Siegfried Line toward the Roer River dams in Germany. This action became known as the “Dewey Demonstration.” During the attack, Lt. Carnevale was struck by enemy mortar fire and wounded by shrapnel on the left side of his chest. He was evacuated to the 44th Evacuation Hospital in Malmedy and later to the 77th Evacuation Hospital in Verviers, near Liège.   After recovering, Lt. Carnevale returned to the 99th Infantry Division and was assigned to Company A, 393rd Infantry Regiment. In 1945, he was promoted to captain and became commander of Company A. Near the end of the war, Captain Carnevale was transferred to the 83rd Infantry Division as a company commander, where he served until the end of the war.   After the war, on March 31, 1946, he married Louise DePamphilis.   In 1948, he co-founded the Algen Press printing company in Queens, where he worked as an executive. He retired in 1972 after 24 years with the company and moved from Mount Vernon to Stuart, Florida.   Joseph A. Carnevale died on May 29, 2004, at the age of 90 in Stuart, Florida.   We are extremely honored to be the new caretakers of his officer’s uniform jacket, the one he wore at his wedding,a beautifully framed portrait, his officer’s ID-card, dog tags, and rank insignia and many photo’s.  

Re Westwind Commemorative JPSK: I bought about 20 of these (mixed aircraft) at a yard sale in Orchard Lake, MI in the mid-late 1980s.  Condition was varied, and some had minor rust/discoloration. I believe I paid $5 each. I later sold all of them at local Gun Shows. Jim

Super cool find!

An old photo, but some of mine...

One interesting thing about hats is that they often indicated the "generations" on the ship by the style of the hat. All of my ships had hat designs that changed during my tours. It wasn't intentional...I think SUPPO just bought what they liked. But it ended up with hats that showed who was "old" and who was "new" onboard based on the design. We even had occasions where someone wore a hand-me-down "old style" hat and were made to change to a new style... "they didn't deserve to wear it".  Good times...  

In general, I avoid any of these where cracks have begun - especially if there is material loss, as this one exhibits around the crossguard.   This zinc pest or zinc rot is usually attributed to impurities in the alloy - with lead’s contribution being the common accusation.  Some claim success with soaking them, and I’ve read articles where guys smear petroleum jelly on them, etc.  Personally, I believe once it starts, it’s an unpredictable downward spiral.  Maybe it never worsens, maybe tomorrow a chunk drops off; no way of guessing at it, but you can be sure that it won’t get better.     What’s interesting is that many of these stilettos are affected by it, and some just aren’t.  I would wager that has to do with variations in how consistently the handle material was mixed and the quality of the individual metals used.   All just my opinion.    

Congrats 

Hi everyone, I bought a uniform that looks like the M1893. My friend said it's from the New York National Guard Cavalry. Then I found a similar photo of people in the same New York National Guard uniform, but their uniforms are different. Does anyone know anything about this uniform?

Did the ASMIC Trading Post do an article on the swastika shoulder patch worn by the 349th Field Artillery in WW I? If yes can someone tell what issue it was in?