WWII Iwo Jima Joe Rosenthal Zippo Lighter AD

Just an incredible Zippo lighter advertisement of Joe Rosenthal's lighter that he carried at Iwo Jima. Features the classic black crinkle paint style of WWII Zippo lighters, personalized with his initials engraved on the side.

WWII Navy MoMM1c Navy Blue Jumper D-Day Vet LST-380

Although Iwo Jima Navy vet uniforms appear somewhat regularly, it is D-Day Navy vet uniforms that are near impossible to locate. When I see them I usually purchase them but those opportunities rarely appear. Owning only three in my collection, and missing out on a forth, that comes out to happening across a D-Day uniform once a year since I started focusing on named uniforms. I was lucky a few years ago when a local antique store had a D-Day vet grouping from a Sailor who was on LST-380. Having the "MO" on his patch on a couple of his jumpers he was a most likely part of a Higgins boat crew during Overlord. This brave sailor stayed in the service until the 1960s so unfortunately I cannot get his complete records. While even Army D-Day uniforms are difficult to locate, I find locating Navy D-Day uniforms even more difficult. A wonderful jumper from a Navy D-Day hero. EDIT 6/9: I had a misconception of the MoMM rate and wanted to correct any misconceptions of the rate. I bought four jumpers from this sailor, only one white jumper had the MO rate. The purpose of the MO rate is a work on smaller engines on craft, such as Higgins boats and PT boats etc. Since he was on an LST more likely than not he was part of a Higgins boat crew. Most Higgins boats are piloted by Coxswain or Boatswain mates.

WWII USMC Navy Corpsman PhM2c 1st Marine Division/IMAC

About a year ago I picked up this forest green coat belonging to Navy Corpsman who started in the 1st Field Depot Supply Service IMAC 1st Amphibious Corps and later transferred to 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines 1st Marine Division in time for the Battle of Okinawa. It is a real interesting coat as the outline of his IMAC and 1st MarDiv patches can still be seen. The outline of his pharmacist rate patch can also be seen. The coat was later cycled out to another 1st MarDiv Marine which is the setup it has in this photo. Unfortunately it has been very difficult to pull his records as he has a very common name and his entries on the USMC rosters doesn't list his service number. Another detail that has been difficult for me to locate his a PhM2c Forest Green patch which I finally located last week. Although it is a Right Sleeve/rear facing crow, I am still going to use it until I can locate a correct facing crow. After many years of looking this is my first Corpsman Forest green coat. Looking forward to finally restore this coat back to its original Corpsman state.

WWII USMC 16th Anti Aircraft Artillary Battalion Display

Jacob Field is a collector and a historian who's main focus of study is his grandfathers Marine unit in WWII: 16th Anti Aircraft Artillery Battalion, 3rd Marine Amphibious Corps IIIMAC. Evolved from the 16th Defense Battalion, this unit was used in a defensive roll during many Marine occupations. What I enjoy about Jacobs displays is his attention to getting the large and small details correct. Its also nice to see a more obscure, but important, Marine unit being showcased. Here's more information from Jacob himself: "My grandfather was a Radar Operator for the 16th Marine Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion on Okinawa. He survived numerous air raid attacks as well as Japanese paratrooper attacks. He enlisted in Sept 43 and was discharged Feb 46. He even instructed Army Dogs on the Radar on Hawaii while he was stationed there with the battalion." Thank you for your service Marine and thank you Jacob for keeping his service in WWII alive with your awesome displays.

WWII Navy Corpsman Medical Supply Trunk

A nice WWII Navy Corpsman trunk, these were used to carry medical supplies and sat in an upright position when in use. These were usually made by the Fisher Price toy company but this one was made by The Displayers out of New York.

WWII US Navy Pilot Officers Coat FM-2 Wildcat

My purchasing of uniforms have slowed down in recent times for various reasons but I did pick up this beautiful Navy Officers Service coat who was a pilot in the later part of WWII flying FM-2 Wildcats. Although his unit did participate in the Battle of Iwo Jima, he didn't join his air group until after April, 1945. Although not a combat vet, I am a huge fan of the Wildcat fighter aircraft and anybody who can fly and land off of an Escort Carrier is a hero in my book! Its great to finally add a Wildcat pilot uniform into the collection especially from this incredible pilot.

WWII Coast Guard Cesar Romero Autographed Photo

A really unique WWII item appeared recently of an autographed photo of Cesar Romero in his Coast Guard uniform dating from his time in WWII! Known for portraying the character The Joker in the 1960's Batman TV series, this is an incredible item of one of Hollywood's most iconic actors.