June 29, 201214 yr #1 In WWII the Marine Corps formed six (6) USMC tank battalions to fight the Japanese in the Pacific. These battalions used the M3 and M5A1 light tanks, as well as the M4 (Sherman) medium tanks.
June 29, 201214 yr Author #2 Although the Japanese tanks were no match for the Marines' tanks, they were targeted by the Japanese because of the damage they could inflict to the IJA infantry and to their positions. Here is the result of a direct hit from a Japanese gun in Iwo Jima; the tank was finished off by a Japanese soldier with a Molotov cocktail.
June 29, 201214 yr Author #3 I recently added to my collection the knife I'm going to show. It belonged to a tanker from the 2nd USMC Tank Battalion. The 2nd Tank Battalion fought in Saipan (June 1944), Tinian (July 1944) and Okinawa (May-June 1945).
June 29, 201214 yr Author #5 As you can see, the knife is well used, but it was also well taken care of. As we often say here, if it could only talk!
June 30, 201214 yr #10 WOW. Outstanding addition to your collection. Thanks for all the background. Bill
June 30, 201214 yr #12 gb Great addition and super pictures :twothumbup: Nice to add a blade with so much going for it. Thank you :jeal0001: Well used and never abused. Tony
June 30, 201214 yr #16 Congratulations on such an excellent addition to your collection :w00t:. I especially love the ink stamp markings on the back of the scabbard - now that's provenance :thumbsup:. Tim
June 30, 201214 yr #18 GB, I think you knife is in fine shape, with a solid history for the type of use it received. Your lead in the this thread is excellent also. It gives the knife's historical involvement in the Pacific. :thumbsup:
July 2, 201214 yr #21 Great pick up GB, that's a keeper for sure! Lovely knife with a great patina and genuine wear. Love the photo with the tankers helmet and dungaree jacket too! :thumbsup: Will
July 6, 201214 yr #22 Any thoughts from anyone why the tip is missing its finish like that? The only one I own to compare to has a bit of the tip broken off, and I wonder if I tried to repair it (shaping from the top and the bottom) if it wouldn't come out looking a lot like this one.
July 6, 201214 yr Author #23 Any thoughts from anyone why the tip is missing its finish like that? The only one I own to compare to has a bit of the tip broken off, and I wonder if I tried to repair it (shaping from the top and the bottom) if it wouldn't come out looking a lot like this one. It has not been re-tipped. It's sheath wear, from taking it out and putting it back in a zillion times. Handguns show the same thing, but in their case it's called holster wear.
July 9, 201214 yr #25 Fantastic knife GB! Great photos, and history, as well; which you so often provide!! Thanks, Don.
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