Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. World War II United States Merchant Navy was the largest civilian Navy in the world, which operated during World War II. With the United States fighting a world war in all the world oceans, the demand for cargo and fuel was very high. Cargo and fuel was needed around the world for the United States Navy, United States Army, United States Marine Corps, United States Army Air Forces, United States Coast Guard and the support of the allied nations of the United States. American steamship companies chartered ships from the Maritime Commission and War Shipping Administration to meet the demand. Many United States Merchant Marine ships were newly built in the Emergency Shipbuilding Program, other ships were older World War I ships that were put back in service, or private ships acquired under Emergency war requisitions. The Merchant Navy operated in the Pacific War and European war. Over 200 US Merchant ships took part in the D-day Normandy landings. To make a Normandy breakwater Harbor, called Mulberry harbour, 33 merchant ships were sunk 1,000 yards from shore. Some of the ghosts merchant ships used were damaged and others were deemed too old.

This is a genuine, very nice WWII U.S. Army M1917A1 "Kelly" Helmet. The helmet is complete with the original liner, chin strap, and the small leather skull pad that is often missing from these helmets. The shell has the original OD green paint mostly intact, including the textured "corked" exterior. This example was quite heavily coated with cork, which has now worn through in areas, giving it an attractive speckled appearance. The shell is stamped 20C in the steel under the brim, a very early number. This example was worn by a Merchant Marine who used the liner as a travel diary.

The liner names the helmet to Arne Rosedahl, 3rd Off., M/S Cavalcade. This likely means the 3rd Officer aboard the Cavalcade. We were able to find some minor information about the ship in newspapers, including that it saw action against enemy aircraft in the Mediterranean in October 1943. A great research project!

The original leather liner is completely intact, with heavy wear from age and service. There is some heavy dry rot and tearing around the edge as shown. The felt padding under the liner is still present but is partially broken off. Both of the ties for the top pad are intact. The canvas chin strap is worn somewhat with some staining, but still solid.

Some of the inscribed locations include Port Elizabeth, Providence, Cape Town, Aden, Massauwa, Port Spain, Scpierre, Trinidad, Lindy, Norfolk, Philadelphia, and Jersey City.

Ready to display!

The M1917A1 helmet was a transitional helmet used during the early years of WWII prior to the introduction of the more common M1 Helmet. It was basically a M1917 helmet shell, as used during WWI, with an improved liner and chin strap assembly. These helmets were widely used by the US Army Troops that occupied the Pacific Islands before and the Pearl Harbor Attack. They were also used by the USMC in the early Island Campaigns of 1942 & 1943.