Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic piece of WWII Marine Corps history. This tabletop display is what’s known as a “standee”, a cardboard cutout with a foldable bracket on the back that “locks” into place allowing it to stand on its own. The condition is really good and exhibits signs of long “service” with the Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

In World War II, the Marines played a central role in the Pacific War, participating in nearly every significant battle.

The Corps also saw its peak growth as it expanded from two brigades to two corps with six divisions, and five air wings with 132 squadrons. In addition, 20 Defense Battalions were also stood up, as well as a Parachute Battalion. In all, the Corps totaled at a maximum end strength of over 475,000 Marines, the highest in its history.

This display piece stands at 22 inches tall with a base width of 5 inches. The image is of a US Marine wearing his summer service uniform with a sign that reads as:

U.S. MARINE
Summer
SERVICE UNIFORM
FOR SUMMER WEAR
AND IN WARMER
CLIMATES THIS LIGHT
KHAKI UNIFORM IS
WORN BY MA-
RINES. THE SHADE IS
INDIAN MAIZE

THE PITH HELMET
SHOWN HERE RE-
FLECTS THE HEAT OF
THE SUN.

A lovely example that comes more than ready for display.

American FIber Helmet
The American fiber helmet (also known as the American pith helmet, safari helmet, tropical helmet, sun helmet, elephant helmet, or the pressed fiber helmet) is a type of sun helmet made of pressed fiber material that has been used as part of the military uniform by various parts of the United States Armed Forces, from 1934 to present. As of 2017, the helmet continues to be worn by US military rifle range cadres, as an icon for marksmanship excellence. The helmet is technically not a pith helmet, insofar as it is not constructed from pith material. However, in the more generic sense of design style, this type of sun helmet is modeled similarly to one and thus often referred to in common use as a pith helmet. Additionally, the helmet is not a combat helmet, insofar as it was not originally designed to protect the head during combat. However, the helmet was nonetheless assigned, at various times in the 1930s and 1940s, as combat gear for use in active theaters.

The fiber helmet has been used as a commercial hat for civilians, as well as by the military. At various times, the helmet has been used by all branches of the services, including the military police, marine aviators, officer and enlisted ranks, military parades, graduation ceremonies, and combat training. The helmet has most actively been used by the United States Marine Corps, particularly during marksmanship course training. During World War II, it was issued to all ranks of the Marine service. As of 2017, it is the longest used helmet in US military history, having been worn by soldiers in the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, invasion of Grenada, and the Persian Gulf War.

Despite its longevity of service, the fiber helmet was never given a model name. It is officially known as "helmet, sun, rigid, fiber." The helmet was originally designed by Jesse Hawley. It was first manufactured by Hawley Products Company in St. Charles, Illinois, and the International Hat Company in St. Louis, for several decades in the 20th century. In the 1960s, a modified version of the helmet was constructed of plastic molding material, as opposed to the original fibrous construction. However, the design remained consistent otherwise.