Original Items: Only One Grouping Available. This lovely grouping is attributed to Aviation Metalsmith 3rd Class George Joseph Baum. The grouping features a beautiful M-69F Leather Transport Pilot Aircraft Coat, (3) Dogtags, pocket bible, photos and more. This is a great “starter” grouping for new collectors!

Aviation Metalsmiths performed daily inspections on aircraft, airframes, and components, maintaining optimum performance for naval aviators during World War II. The general abbreviation for the enlisted rating was AM. In 2002, the rating was changed to Aviation Structural Mechanic. This enlisted rating was one opened to Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Services (WAVES) during the war as well.

From what little service information we could find is that he enlisted on December 1, 1942 out of New York, New York. He was stationed aboard the USS Altamaha (AVG-18/ACV-18/CVE-18), an escort aircraft carrier in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for the Altamaha River in Georgia. Altamaha was laid down under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 235) on 19 December 1941 at Tacoma, Washington, by the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation; launched on 25 May 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Thomas S. Combs, the wife of Commander Combs, who was the commanding officer of Casco, and commissioned on 15 September 1942 Captain J. R. Tate in command.

The Items In This Grouping:
- Navy M-69F Leather Transport Pilot Aircraft Coat With Gloves: This is a great condition WWII US Navy M-69F leather Transport Pilot Aircraft coat. It is size US 38 and is a heavy insulated leather knee length coat. The original data tag is still present on this example.

COATS, AIRCRAFT TRANSPORT
BuAERO. - U.S. NAVY
SPECIFICATION M-69 F
GORDON & FERGUSON CO.
CONTRACT NO. N288S-12600
38

The leather is soft and supple and in great condition. Has a beautiful mouton "fur" collar which does have material loss and fine Alpaca lining. There is no extensive damage and the cuffs are in perfect condition, comes complete with leather belt (so often missing). This is one of the nicest M-69F jackets you will find.

The M-69F was used by Navy Transport pilots during world war two on long haul runs across the Atlantic or on submarine patrols. Also, often seen on the backs also of middle and senior officers at sea (USN Commanders, etc). These have not caught on in the collector market the way the A-2 jacket has yet during the time the cost to produce a Transport Coat was far in excess to money spent on an A2!

- (3) P1940 Dogtags: In World War II members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps wore Dog Tags of a different shape than the Army and Air Force. They were oval shaped, had either one (P1917) or two (P1940) holes, and were engraved or etched rather than debossed or stamped.

The engraving is still clear on all 3 and reads as:

GEORGE
JOSEPH
BAUM
710 17 69
‘O’
T-7-43
USNR

- Pocket Bible With Protective Sleeve: The bible is named to Baum and has a lovely pair of photographs of this young sailor. The photos are still crisp in detail and clear.

A wonderful grouping that comes more than ready for further research and display.