Description
This original WWII USMC M-1 helmet set is identified to Private First Class Bailey C. Naber, 372168. View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding PFC Naber's life and military service. Normally, we would discourage the disassembly of a USMC helmet; however, because this example was recently paired with its cover, no patina is being disturbed in the process. The cover exhibits foliage slits in both the crown and the tongues - a characteristic of first pattern covers, production of which began in September of 1942. It features the distinctive double-chain center stitching and zigzag border stitching on the beach side, and it is still in its wartime configuration, with no "Eagle, Globe & Anchor" stampings on either side of the cover. The front seam fixed loop helmet shell was manufactured by McCord Radiator & Manufacturing Co. of Detroit, Michigan and exhibits a faint lot number of "35_A", approximately dating its production from late-1942 to early-1943. The helmet retains its original olive drab factory finish, cork texture, and OD#3 (khaki) chinstraps with brass hardware and a flat buckle. The helmet's liner was produced by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It features green painted steel A-washers and an OD#3 suspension, which approximately date the liner's production from mid-1943 to mid-1944. It comes complete with its original J.P. Smith Shoe Co. headband and Johnson & Johnson neckband. The headband exhibits a rare variation only seen on mid-1942 examples; the fabric on the reverse was stitched over the leather's fold. Like the steel shell, the liner also retains its original olive drab factory finish. The front is marked with its original owner's name, "Naber", while the reverse is marked with the initials "BCN".
Provenance
Private Collection, Folsom, California
Condition Report
This helmet set is in excellent, lightly used condition. Due to this, it is likely that this helmet was issued to PFC Naber during one of his stateside periods in California (more below), as opposed to being a combat-worn example. Cuts for the helmet shell's chinstraps to pass through are present on the camouflage cover.
Veteran's Information
Bailey Calvin Naber was born on February 6, 1921, in Muscatine, Iowa. Prior to the war, Naber first enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 18, 1940, in New York, New York. Following his one-year service with the Army, Naber then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on February 2, 1942. His Marine Corps service began as a Field Music First Class in the 1st Guard Company at the Marine Barracks in Newport, Rhode Island - a stark contrast to how it would conclude. In October of 1942, Naber joined C Company, 4th Marine Raider Battalion, 1st Raider Regiment, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California. While serving with the 4th Raiders, Naber participated in the amphibious invasion of New Georgia, which began in June of 1943. Naber appears to have been wounded during the New Georgia campaign; while other members of the 4th Raiders made their way to New Zealand for rest and rehabilitation, Naber was instead evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego, California in October of 1943. Following his hospitalization, Naber was reassigned to the Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, before being moved to the Headquarters Company & Service Battery, 3rd Battalion of the same regiment. Naber went on to participate in three other amphibious invasions with the 2nd Marine Division. While serving in Saipan, Naber was awarded the Silver Star Medal for repelling a Japanese surprise counterattack during the early morning hours of July 7, 1944, singlehandedly killing 20 enemy soldiers in the process (more below). He damaged his hearing during the attack and was hospitalized in Hawaii. From there, he was then assigned to the 36th Replacement Battalion before rejoining his unit. Naber appears to have been spared participation in Iwo Jima, as he was stateside in a Casual Battalion from January to July of 1945, before being honorably discharged that same month. Interestingly, though, on July 16, 1945, he was required to register for the draft and was eventually recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Naber died on April 15, 1987, at the age of 66 and is buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California. Made available to the new owner below are Naber's Army enlistment records from the National Archives, his draft registration cards, USMC Muster Rolls, newspaper clippings documenting the events of July 7, 1944, and Silver Star Medal commendation, as well as his gravesite. At Gustafson's request, the National Archives is currently processing Naber's complete file, which will be made available below when completed.
