Original U.S. KIA Haiti 1915 & Battle of Vera Cruz Named USMC M1878 Blanket Bag by Philadelphia Depot - Sergeant Edward C. Thompson - Dated 1911
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Original Item. Only One Available. This is an extremely scarce USMC marked M1878 Blanket bag, marked on the interior to the Philadelphia Depot, which made many Marine accouterments during this era, and is dated 1911. These were often seen used in conjunction with a blanket roll and haversack to carry equipment. This was the first model pack adopted following the Model 1858 “Double Bag” Knapsack used during the Civil War. This example is made much more extraordinary by the name stenciled on the interior, E.C. THOMPSON. This identifies the bag to Sergeant Edward C. Thompson, 6th Company, 1st Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps. Thompson landed on shore at Vera Cruz, Mexico on April 22nd, 1914, taking part in the Battle of Vera Cruz which lasted until November 23rd, 1914. Following the battle, the 6th Company would be transferred to Haiti. On September 28th, 1915, Sergeant Thompson was recovering the body of Private Matthew A. Liptak, who drowned during a swimming exercise the previous day. While returning with the body, the party was ambushed by Haitian outlaws, and Thompson was killed in action.
The bag was then reissued to a Marine, N. Kelly, with Thompson’s name being crossed out. This is extremely significant in that this blanket bag was carried through the Battle of Vera Cruz, through Haiti, and was reissued after its carrier was killed in action.
The bag retains its two original leather straps, with both D-Rings still in good shape. All buttons are retained that we can see. Both leather straps are stamped on the bottom:
ROCK ISLAND
ARSENAL
1909
A really scarce piece of Marine Corps equipment carried through the Battle of Vera Cruz and Haiti until its wearer fell in action, ready to display as a centerpiece of any Marine Corps collection.
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