Wolf and Brown Mania! WW1 & WW II USN or Marine Ribbon Rack

This stellar example of a Wolf and Brown ribbon rack of a two war Navy or USMC military veteran is one of the nicest I've seen offered up for sale. The rack includes many rarer W&B ribbons not often found on the loose.

WWII Coral and Brass Book by General Holland M. Smith

General Holland M. Smith controversial book has been published a few times since it's original publication in 1946. Serving more as a way to get his version of the incident of his relieving of army commander General Ralph Smith at the Battle of Saipan, the book is filled with many factual errors but serves as a nice historical document of his mindset at the end of WWII. This is less a review of the book but a gallery of the different covers of the book, the one above being the first edition. I love the first edition cover with the two tone artwork typical of 1940's art design. One aspect I do love of this book is the title, "Coral and Brass" a simple but highly effective description of the Pacific War.

This is a later paperback edition of the book, I believe dating from the 1950's and 1960's. The oil painting style cover is beautifully done.

This is latest edition from 1987 of Coral and Brass, and usually the one most often found. Besides the first edition, they are very plentiful and easily found. It is worth picking up and reading if you are a reader of USMC history.

Also in the 1980's the USMC released this version of the book as an official study manual for Marines. I like the unique binding and cover of this version which is very different from the others. If you would like to read Coral & Brass online, here is its entire text posted online here

WWII USMC Sgt. 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion Iwo Jima

Here is a coat I picked up a few months ago but wanted to wait until I received his records before I posted it here on Marines in Forest Green. This is a coat I've been looking high and low for, to include it my Iwo Jima collection. This Marine belonged to the Company A 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion, which covered the 4th Marine Division on Blue Beach II, the farthest right beach landing. The 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion was outfitted with LVT(A)4, the turreted tank version of the famous amphibious tractor. These LVT's from the 2nd lead the landing craft LVT's to shore, essentially being the first Marines to land on Iwo preceding the assault troops of the 4th and 5th MarDiv. Many of the pictures you see of the LVT(A)4's on the first few hours of the invasion are from the 2nd Armored Amphibious Battalion. This Marine was the Amphibious Commander on one of these LVT's, with Iwo being his second landing after Saipan. He passed away in the mid 1970's and his incredible coat seemed to floating around over the years. What is so great about this coat is his incredible FMF-PAC Amtrac patch which are only worn by these brave Marines.

WWII USMC Marine Liberty Pass

Here is a classic example of WWII USMC paper material, a Liberty Pass IDed to Marine who was based in New York and Massachusetts during WWII. These items are not often found, unless the Marine kept all his paperwork, but nearly every marine had one filled out to them at one time or another, while they were passing through many cities throughout the world.

WWII Two 5th Marine Division Coats Iwo Jima

I haven't been posting to much lately but here is a quick lowdown on two recent coat purchases, both belonging to Marines in the 5th Marine Division. The left coat belong to a Marine who was in A Co, 1st Battalion, 26th Marines. He was WIA during the Battle of Iwo Jima and taken back to Oakland where he recovered from his wounds. He was a local Californian, which is where I purchased this coat from. The second coat on the right belong to a Marine in the 5th Medical Battalion and also participated in the battle of Iwo Jima. When the 5th MarDiv was disestablished he was moved over into the 2nd Marine Division and was later discharged.

WWII Navy Corpsman Unit 3 Bag First Aid

Here is a great example of the not often found Unit-3 bag that was used by Navy Corpsman who were attached to USMC units. I'm still missing a pair of bags for my collection of this classic piece of field gear webbing.

Here is a Corpsman Bag that came my way, its missing one of its hangers but very nice overall.

WWII 5th Marine Division The Spearhead Magazines

I was lucky enough to acquire two of the three 5th MarDiv produced Spearhead Magazines as published by the Division and given to the Marines in the 5th. It appears three were originally published during WWII and are different from the Spearhead Newsletter that is associated with the 5th Marine Division Association. As far as I know only three were produced, a Camp Pendleton Edition, and Iwo Jima Edition and the Japan Occupation Edition. Unfortunately I was not able to purchase the Occupation Edition. These magazines are fantastic. Pendleton issue has many great pictures of the Marines in training for the then unknown Iwo Jima Invasion. There are also some great pictures of the surrounding areas and what the Marines did when they were not training.

The Iwo Jima Edition features many Official USMC photos of the battle but there are also many pictures I haven't seen anywhere else.

The third and last issue highlights the Japan Occupation. I am not sure if anymore issues were produced and after talking to some Iwo Vets and famlies of Iwo vets it appears only these issues were produced. Incredible magazines and documentation of the 5th MarDiv.