Need help with USN sword

[ariel]

Folks,
I don't even know whether this the right address, but just in case.
A USN sword with a presentation plaque wandered into my home:-)

Who do I contact to figure out attribution based on name and rank of the owner?
I looked at the Department of Navy site, but it is awfully confusing.

[Jens Nordlunde]

If I was you, I would post a picture and ask Jim.

[Shakethetrees]

There is a research service called Golden Arrow, I believe. They've helped me before.

As I remember their entry level fee is about $75. They will email scans of documents.

I've been perfectly happy with their service in the past.

[ariel]

Thanks to both of you.
Pics added. Golden Arrow contacted.

Hope they help.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

If I was you, I would post a picture and ask Jim.

Thank you Jens.

[Ian]

Ariel:

VPB-2 is a Patrol Bombing squadron of the US Navy. It saw a lot of action in WWII and subsequently. I think it's still an active component of the Navy's air services. There's a good chance your Lt. Comdr. Whitacre was a pilot or navigator of a bomber.

Ian.

[ariel]

Ian,
Many thanks!
With that info the game is afoot!

[Ferguson]

He is also mentioned here. Was probably after VPB-2 which looks like it may have PBY patrol bomber outfit.



Naval Aviation Museum

[kronckew]

Lt. Al DeGennaro and his crew had completed the PB4Y-2 Operational Training at whiting Field in March 1946. The crew was disbanded and the individuals sent to PB4Y-2 squadrons as required. Lt. DeGennaro and three other qualified Patrol Plane Commanders were ordered to report to Commander Fleet Air Wing 10 at Sangley Point, Philippines for further assignment. He reported to VPB-106 on April 8, 1946. A short time later Lcdr. Couch and Lcdr. Whitacre reported. These were the last known replacement pilots to be assigned to the squadron.

Flying PB4Y-2 Bureau Number 59671, Lt DeGennaro departed Samar on September 9, 1946 for Guam with three (3) other aircraft. The Plane Commanders and crews were Lcdr. Whitacre, Lair. Couch and Lt JG Lewis. They were ordered to report to Commander Fleet Air Wing 18 upon arrival at Guam. The Patrol Plane Commanders (PPC) and the aircraft were reassigned by CFAW- 18. Lt. DeGennaro and Lt(JG) Lewis were assigned to VP-102, Lcdr. Couch was assigned to VP- 101 and Lcdr. Whitacre was assigned to the Fleet Air Wing 18 Staff. The Co-pilots and crews of these planes were sent to Sangley Point, P.I. for reassignment by Fleet Air Wing 10.

quotes from above post by steve

interesting.

naval officers swords were forbidden at the start of ww2 by the navy as part of the scrap iron collection drive., and because they were considered obsolete by the bean counters. however there was a bit of a mutiny by the officers and they were officially reinstated near the end and since. enlisted cutlasses were reinstated after the war for some training commands, and are in more general use in other commands as well. i have seen photos of enlisted in their blue camouflage uniforms doing cutlass drills on modern nuclear aircraft carriers. the sword is far from dead in the USN (and USCG). the regulation model 1851 sword had a blade width of just over an inch, reduced to about an inch around ww1, and then to the current3/4 in. in ww2-ish. sad. we should go back to the original 1851 spec. note also the USN/USCG specs do not specify the color of the rayskin or faux rayskin grip covering. .

[ariel]

Guys,
Many thanks!