I generally do not collect Occupation helmets but this one is very special.
This helmet is a fixed loop McCord with a Capac liner. The configuration is not what makes this helmet special.
This is a 1st Cav division helmet that was painted in the Philippines for Occupation duty in Japan. The helmet was given to Army Nurse 2nd Lt. Bernice A. Bryan, due to her helmet being badly damaged. You can still see in the helmet soap Residue.
The liner has another set of initials on the inside and the liner has had a repaint.
Nurse helmets are hard to find and 1st Cav Occupation helmets are even harder. Most Cav helmets were painted over when they left Japan heading to Korea at the start on the war.
The painted patch on the helmet is not the best looking that I’ve seen but In hand it’s right as rain. I’m still researching everything and have been working on it for a month.
There is so much else to be said but I will leave the rest for later.
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