✅ SOLVED world war 2 navy accolade? or just dog tag of some sort?

[Klclark3]

respect to my late great granddad who's thing I saved from being lost. Im not sure what it is just curious, if it was some sort of reward? regardless, it will be a personal treasure. thanks guys

 

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[bigfoot1]

a wwII navt dog tag looks like this......yor great gand dad served on one heck of a ship.appears by date he may have been part of the unit commondation awarded the crew for actions against the japanese.I salute his service !!!!

 

[bigfoot1]

he is family member and made efforts to obscure name...perhaps a little less info would be appropriate

 

[vpnavy]

That got by me bigfoot1 - I removed all my information.

 

[CurlysGold]

Here's a fascinating link about the USS Pennsylvania. Your great granddad should be on the roster on the site. You might be able to email the photos to the historians on the website.

The USS Pennsylvania Web

My guess is a shoe plate or a butt plate to a gun. The shape is odd. I'm still pouring through the internet trying to find something concrete.

 

[vpnavy]

His granddad was absolutely on the USS Pennsylvania - this is his official onboard report (less ID information)!

 

[Klclark3]

thank you bigfoot, and navy appreciate the hel and the covering of the name. happy hunting guys.

 

[bigfoot1]

interesting note,
the shape of item is reffered to as,"keystone".from what I have been able to find thus far it MAY not be a medal of commondation.I can find no navy medals with dog tag info,although the general shape does exist.My best guess at thi time is that it is for a reunion or such and arranged by a veterans group.

As your grand dads ship fired some of the first shots in WWII at pearl harbor(even before general quarters sounded)that may have relevance.Perhaps find out if he was a member of a veterans group or traveled to any reunion events and start from there.

good luck

 

[CurlysGold]

Awesome work guys. And Pennsylvania is the KEYSTONE state!

 

[CurlysGold]

I came across this Hake's - BATTLESHIP OHIO AND ARMORED CRUISER PENNSYLVANIA SHIP LAUNCH BADGES. Do you have any idea what the numbers represent on the bottom of your piece? I am starting to think you might have a more primitive version of a launch badge...

 

[CurlysGold]

What was his rank/pay grade and job description aboard the ship?

 

[bigfoot1]

the numbers on the bottom of his tag represent most recent tetnus shot date....letter A=blood type.....letter C indicates religeous affiliation.All info on item is standard dog tag info from era....its the piece itself that I am unable to find as govt.issue.It is not a decoration,or a govt.issued dog tag.I am searching private custom commemorative companies in case that is the answer.So far seems possible.

 

[Klclark3]

I don't recall him being much into the reunion groups, he came straight back to and started wielding and ship repairs, before he came back to Louisville, I think he was just a regular naval soldier.

 

[CurlysGold]

Cool bigfoot1. Do you think it was screwed down onto something? Like a bunk? It doesn't make sense to have screw holes and to have the back hidden. I sent an email the Veterans group to see if they've seen one before. Awaiting his reply.

 

[Klclark3]

thank you guys i more then appreciate the help.

 

[vpnavy]

What was his rank/pay grade and job description aboard the ship?

In 1944 he was a S2c V6. S2c was a Seaman 2nd Class which was a Seaman Apprentice (E2). That means he was new - probably been in for 2 to 6 months or so. V6 was a person who volunteered to serve and would be discharged within six months of the end of WWII.

 

[DCMatt]

the numbers on the bottom of his tag represent most recent tetnus shot date....letter A=blood type.....letter C indicates religeous affiliation.All info on item is standard dog tag info from era....its the piece itself that I am unable to find as govt.issue.It is not a decoration,or a govt.issued dog tag.I am searching private custom commemorative companies in case that is the answer.So far seems possible.

BB 38 at the top is the official numeric designation of the ship.

DCMatt

 

[CurlysGold]

So "In addition civic groups and commanding officers purchased commercially made ID Tags for the local men of their Volunteer Regiments and State Militia Units before they marched off to war." source A.E.F. Identification, Part one - QUAL BADGES, DUIs, AWARDS & COLLAR BRASS - U.S. Militaria Forum POST # 5

 

[Klclark3]

so it's a commercial dog tag? that's pretty cool, thanks curly appreciate it.

 

[Trooper733]

Also, the USS Pennsylvania was a sister ship to the USS Arizona, which was made famous when she was destroyed and sank in the Pearl Harbor attack by the Japanese. The Pennsylvania had two dozen killed and close to 40 wounded and several missing from the attack. She is rarely mentioned in accounts of the attack, which is a shame because as was previously mentioned she fired some of the first shots and some of the last of the war on Japan in WWII. WWII history is my favorite time. My dad also served, with the 10th Army during the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation of Japan after the war. I salute your grandfather for his service and am glad to see someone who cherishes mementos and awards from their service. I would never sell or give away my fathers medals and decorations and souvenirs.