WWII Navy Khaki Shirt Officer Pilot USS Hancock

Over the last few weeks a WWII pilot trunk grouping was broken up on Ebay. There were some incredible items offered including this seldom seen Navy Officer Khaki shirt. While these could also be sold to Army officers as well, this one is IDed to a Navy Pilot. Many navy Pilots wore these shirts both in the cockpit and other duties.

WWII USMC Leggings NOS with Tags

These leggings appeared on Ebay recently, it was nice to see some minty leggings such as these and are as nice condition you can find for those Minty collectors. They included the lacings, a nice sharp size 4 tag and most importantly the Depot stamp that are nearly always washed out. Very nice pair of WWII USMC Leggings.

Bloody Beaches by Delano Stagg WWII Paperback Novel

I really do love these 50's pulp fiction paperbacks that deal with the Marines and WWII. This is a great example I came across called Marines Die Hard: Bloody Beaches by Delano Stagg ( Most likely a pen name). First the artwork is fantastic and dramatic, it still makes one want to pick up the book and read it. I would love to have a poster of this. And just in case you don't realize it is a booked filled with drama, at the very bottom it states "A Dramatic War Novel." This is high art if you ask me, I really need to pick up a copy for 35 Cents!

WWII Marine Portrait Hand Tinted

Beautiful hand tinted portrait photograph of a Lady and her Marine!

WWI USMC Marines at the Vintage Militaria Collector Show at Fairplex Pomona 2014

Early last month was Bob Chatt's Militaria show in Pomona, California. At the location of the old Great Western Gunshow, Bob has brought the Militaria Collector show back to Southern California. No collector show isn't complete without patrons suiting up in their favorite impression. I am always impressed with Steve Baffa's Great War Marine, specifically a Marine geared up for the guarding Mail Trains during the 1920's. An incredible impression that doesn't fail to impress!

Iwo Jima Memorial Day Display Bellevue Cemetery 2014

Here is my Iwo Jima Memorial Day display I did here locally at Bellevue Cemetery last Monday. The display featured three alpha Forest Green Coat jackets that are IDed to Iwo Jima Veteran for each Marine Division that participated in the Battle: the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions. The display also included a glass vile containing black sand from Iwo Jima and an original WWII Patch SSI display of Marine/Navy units at Iwo.

2nd Division Philippines Army….Not 2nd Marine Division

This appeared on Ebay recently, it was described as a rare alternate 2nd MarDiv patch from WWII and had a healthy BIN price. I almost fell for this as well until a member on US Militaria Forums noted that it was in fact a 2nd Army Division patch from the Philippines Army. YOu can see how this patch could easily be misidentified as a USMC 2nd MarDiv patch due to this design having all the hallmarks of a WWII USMC patch (Red color, diamond shaped, etc). It is still a great looking patch but not a WWII 2nd MarDiv Patch.