I don't think I seen this post before, sure wish the NAME Taps were not redacted.

Thais so much! I felt honored to write his biography!

That is a fascinating little vignette! This hobby is the best 

After doing two minutes of research I found that no marine patches are authorized on army uniforms….period. The only other patch you could wear would be your combat unit patch and since the marine corps does not have combat unit patches it is 100%  unauthorized. Not saying that this guy didn’t wear his uniform like this but it was not authorized and in no way shape or form could I see a commissioned officer wearing a marine patch on his uniform.  And I don’t like the medal bar, it also looks sloppy. Maybe he was just one of the sloppy slackers we called shinola birds.  I just don’t like it for no reason other than it just doesn’t look right. And I also don’t know why anyone would put that together unless it was a funeral uniform and they found out it didn’t fit??? I couldn’t stand the guys that would wear every di how ribbon they ever “earned”.  I only ever wore my top three and they were all personal awards. I even went top three at my retirement ceremony. 

I don’t like it at all and can’t  imagine an army officer wearing a marine patch on their dress uniform. I’m not even sure that is authorized. I know it wasn’t when I was in. I’m thinking the army jacket is a put together, got any better  pictures of the patches. The 6th army looks sloppy from what I can see 

Hi Dustin:   Agreed, I have seen no such evidence either.  However, I have seen photo evidence of USAAF aircrew in the PTO using the 5 inch Western knives.     Regards, Charlie

The DUKW is so small, I’m sure it’s hard to see. it’s not surprising this happened. Maybe the driver was trying to avoid hitting a pink elephant when she hit the green DUKW.  mikie

I spent 12 years in Amphibious Ships. My first was USS St. Louis, LKA-116. We carried LCM-6 and 8s. Along with LCPLs and sometimes LCVPs. I loved working as boat crew, (Boat SM). But everyone in the boat, learned everything about the boat. We took turns at the wheel, could drop the bow ramp, served as deck hands, handling cargo and vehicles. We helped the boat engineer. It was hot, miserable, cold, wet, exhausting work. A 20 hour in the boat day was the norm. Grease and oil covered you, mostly from the rigging used to hoist and lower the boat and any cargo. I liked it. The Coxswain may be a BM3, and me an SM1, but it was his boat. I did my job and whatever he told me to do. Most boat crew, learned their job on the Job. Our Ships Bosun, tried to send all his Coxswains to school, but that wasn’t always practical. We just learned how to do stuff. It was a great life. 

Thanks for the report and all the photos. What an amazing display of skill and passion. I’d love to see this in person. My Sister-in-Law Mary is quite the skilled craftsperson. I’m sure she’d love it.  mikie

Thanks for this extra info. I will be looking for more pictures for the display.