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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Skull Caps
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As a new Ron was commissioned, at least at the very beginning (Ron 5, for example) each man was issued a pair of blue sneakers (ugly) and a skull cap with leather chin cup for use on the boat. They may have also issued aviator's style sunglasses. These came directly from Elco. Does anyone have a photo showing the guys operating their boat while wearing the skull caps? I saw a clear scene in National Geographic's PT Boat documentary with the guys wearing these caps but I would like to have a still shot. I have my father's skull cap now with his name and "PT 113" stenciled onto it, as well as his sunglasses. Thanks.
Allan

Posted By: Allan | Posted on: May 22, 2008 - 5:05pm
Total Posts: 161 | Joined: Sep 18, 2007 - 7:07pm

In Victor Chun's book on page 106 is a photo of a man posing with a 20mm gun on PT-19?. I believe he's wearing the hat you're talking about along with a pair of goggles. This is the only time I've ever seen this cap.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: May 22, 2008 - 6:44pm
Total Posts: 1679 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Elco Naval Division personnel can be seen wearing that headgear, often with the accompanying goggles, in many photos and lots of film footage of them on board the PTs while doing test runs from the factory.

I guess they figured the crews would need the "skull caps" (actually lightweight cloth flight-type helmets) and goggles too, and issued them.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: May 23, 2008 - 6:04am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am