Interesting Marine Corps Photos

[historyguy]

Well, my last attempt at a Marine Corps thread didn't go over like a balloon, it went over like a lead zeppelin. Hopefully this thread will be a little better received...

A photo showing the seldom-seen USMC Officer Candidate insignia. I have never seen these in use before (or photos of the pins alone), just an outline drawing of the insignia in a reference book. This veteran was assigned to the OC Battalion at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in 1944-1945.

If any forum member has an example of these pins in their collection, please post them!

I have a few other "interesting" Marine Corps photos to post, if there is any interest.

[irish]

I have learned something new with that photo. Never knew of an O.C. insignia for USMC. Great photo documentation.

[Daniel Griffin]

I didn't know that the Marines used an OC collar insignia, thanks for the info.

[Gary Cain]

Hi Andy,

That is only the second picture I've seen of that insignia in use. A friend of mine may have a singleton of it (I know he had one years ago) and I will see if he still has it.

An yes, please post MORE PICTURES!

Gary

[NBolinger]

insignia

I just happen to see this thread and i have one these insignias, no clue what it is, maybe some kind of officers candidate school?

[historyguy]

I just happen to see this thread and i have one these insignias, no clue what it is, maybe some kind of officers candidate school?

Yup, that's it! The pins were indeed silver. Thanks for posting, Mr. Bolinger.

I will post some other photos this weekend. Thanks for the comments, guys!

[Gary Cain]

That damned Bollinger guy is such a show off!

[Capt. R]

OC for officer candidate of course. Very rare because they were loaned out at OCS and collected. Later, another version of collar insignia appeared as "PLC" for platoon leader's class. Not sure if the OC was the WW2 version or not.

Surprised that he is allowed to wear the officer style EGA on his cover as an OC unless he was a prior-enlisted Marine in which case that would be OK, even at OCS.

[historyguy]

More USMC Pictures -- Korea

Here are some more Marine Corps photos that I think are interesting for one reason or another, though none will be as rare as the OC photo above.

First is a Christmas tree with some unique decorations: Beer cans or ration cans (or both). Christmas Eve, 1951.

Second scan is "Salty" kneeling on a jeep from 1 MT Bn, 1MarDiv, late 1951. Notice the EGA on the overseas hat!

[historyguy]

A bunker at the 1st MT Bn camp at/near Masan, Korea. Reverse mentions ''cut down Carbine.'' Doesn't look very effective, but I guess looks can be deceiving!!

[historyguy]

Finally, a USA show (one wonders what they are doing, wearing what appears to be prison or hospital garb!) at Masan, mid-late 1951. Notice the Marine in right foreground-- "Blackie 2/7" and some word I cannot read. I have, of course, seen utilities with writing on them, but period photos showing same are uncommon.

That's it for now, I have a just a few more to post in a few days.

If anyone else has interesting USMC photographs, I'm sure I speak for all when I say we'd love to see them!!!

[Gary Cain]

That Carbine is probably an M2 so a full auto room broom. It would be hell on wheels in a trench fight.

[historyguy]

I understand the reasoning behind a sawed-off shotgun, but what's the purpose of a swed-off carbine? Wouldn't the bullet leave the barrel at such a high speed it would just go right through an attacker? <HR>On the same subject, here is someone's .38 revolver the photographer felt was photo-worthy...

[historyguy]

A couple photos of the Navy/Marine Corps swim trunks in wear.

[historyguy]

Can't tell if these are Marine issue or civillian, but a neat photo of the HQ Aircraft, FMF PAC patch in wear. (The woman is a Marine also, but that swimsuit doesn't look G.I.!!!!)