My grandfather served on the escort carrier CVL-24 U.S.S. Belleau Wood. He was a "plank owner" and was on it from its maiden voyage through to the end of the war. Unfortunately, many of his mementos were lost with time, but I have a few, including this Japanese aircraft (?) ID plate. I believe this might actually be a radio or instrument plate.
I am not sure where he picked this up. I have a pair of Japanese issue soldier glasses that he also brought back with him.
Any idea how I can find out what this actually says? There is an anchor stamped on it, which I assume indicates that it was a naval aircraft. There is also some voltage information (220 - 110 V) and a weight specification (11.5 kg) which may again indicate that it is from an electronic instrument of some kind.
The U.S.S. Belleau Wood was hit by a kamikaze in the fall of 1944, in the Phillippine Sea. I still recall my grandfather's stories about that as a child sitting on his knee. He was career Navy, had enlisted in 1922 and was a CPO and aircraft machinist mate on the BW. I had always thought as a kid that this name plate came from the kamikaze, but that seems rather unlikely, after looking at the pictures of the destruction. He had been below decks, working
in the aircraft hangar when the plane hit. Anyway, the plate seems to have a 1945 date, so that makes this theory even more improbable.
Anyway, if anyone can help, or tell me what they think this is from, I would appreciate it. I have been wondering for 40 years!
I am not sure where he picked this up. I have a pair of Japanese issue soldier glasses that he also brought back with him.
Any idea how I can find out what this actually says? There is an anchor stamped on it, which I assume indicates that it was a naval aircraft. There is also some voltage information (220 - 110 V) and a weight specification (11.5 kg) which may again indicate that it is from an electronic instrument of some kind.
The U.S.S. Belleau Wood was hit by a kamikaze in the fall of 1944, in the Phillippine Sea. I still recall my grandfather's stories about that as a child sitting on his knee. He was career Navy, had enlisted in 1922 and was a CPO and aircraft machinist mate on the BW. I had always thought as a kid that this name plate came from the kamikaze, but that seems rather unlikely, after looking at the pictures of the destruction. He had been below decks, working
in the aircraft hangar when the plane hit. Anyway, the plate seems to have a 1945 date, so that makes this theory even more improbable.
Anyway, if anyone can help, or tell me what they think this is from, I would appreciate it. I have been wondering for 40 years!
Comment