USMC
Leather Flight Jacket, M-444
Captain Harry Dees
(Bicknell)
CPT Dees joined the Marines before the attack on Pearl Harbor. He qualified as a pilot and flew resupply missions to support the Marines fighting on Guadalcanal.
During the Korean War, Dees trained as a helicopter pilot, and served with HMR-161. He remained in the Marines after Korea and in 1962 was deployed to Vietnam. He flew 20 combat airlift missions and was awarded his 16th Air Medal. LTC Dees retired in 1964
Winter Service Uniform
Private First Class
Vera E. Laure
(South Bend)
In February, 1944, PFC Laure entered active duty with the Marines. She trained as an aviation engine mechanic at Norman, Oklahoma, then was assigned to Aviation Women's Reserve Squadron (AWRS) 8, at Naval Air Station, San Diego.
A few notable items on her uniform are the Aviaition Machinist Mate (AMM) striker near the cuff of the left sleeve, the white discharge diamond and the use of only one rank chevron. The white diamond was used by the Marines before the introduction of the "ruptured duck" to indicate an honorably discharged veteran. The wearing of one rank chevron was a wartime economy measure due to a shortage of chevrons within the Marine Corps.
Painted Seabag
Corporal Homer L. Swander
(Terre Haute)
CPL Swander joined the Marines in September 1943 and was assigned to HQ Co,1st Service Battalion,, First Marine DIvision, He participated in the landing at Peleliu Island in September, 1944 and the fighting on Okinawa in June, 1945.
