Do you have the USS Spadefish available by chance? My husband's great grandpa was a torpedo man on the ship and I would love to get him that flag!

This may be unrelated & it requires further research of the BuPers records, but I'm wondering if it's pertinent to this belt buckle.  Yes, the buckle states "45-47" but perhaps PUSCH is a commemoration note from a shipmate?  He may also have been assigned to the USS PRESIDENT JACKSON (APA-18) which was at the Lingayen Gulf landings in January 1945 where Seaman Pusch was listed as MIA/KIA (Purple Heart).   Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency WWII Report for IDAHO (Unaccounted For) PUSCH, HERMAN C S1C NAVY 08758674 UNITED STATES NAVY RESERVE 1/4/1945 NON RECOVERABLE PHILIPPINES   American Battle Monuments Commission - Philippines - PUSCH

John, Thank you for the info and id. Did not know manufacturer.    Chris

I enjoyed this review - thanks. I'm researching the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron and several of the things you report Salter saying are familiar from accounts of men in 'my' unit too. I'm not a military historian (I'm approaching my project more as a journalist/writer for personal reasons) but the sense I get is that Cavalry Reconnaissance in WW2 has previously been somewhat overlooked. The more I get to understand what it entailed, the more fascinating and impressive it becomes.

I can see the advantage of having it installed on the back. You can play the wire out while driving the Jeep forward. I’m sure having it mounted in front has a useful purpose, but can’t think of what it could be.  Thank you folks for tolerating my ignorance. Though I will most likely never have need of this information, I always love learning things. mikie

That is a Blackinton pattern Aviator, it dates from WWI. There is no way to tell if it was struck in WWI or the 1920’s, but no issues put it with WWI. John

And the red dot at about 2 o'clock is where I found it. 😊 

I found this in a plowed field just across the river from Tipp City, Ohio. Looks brass and it's a bit over 1 3/4 inches in diameter. Any thoughts on it?    

Incredible stories!

Love these Rick. Wish they'd had them when I went through SOTC.