December 15, 2020 Edged Weapons, Armor & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2020
Lot consists of: (A) Beautifully engraved WWI canteen that was used in WWII by Lt. William E. Lewis Jr. who was part of the 92nd Coast Artillery. This unit was part of the Philippine Scouts, which consisted of Philippine enlisted men who served under U.S. officers. The 92nd was formed in 1924 at Fort Mills on Corregidor Island, Philippines. Lt. Lewis was with the 92nd at Fort Mills and spent most of his time in the Army in the Philippines after he graduated from Texas A&M in 1938. He and his wife were posted to Philippines for two years duty and about to return to Texas when war became imminent. His wife at the time was able to be sent home, however Lt. Lewis remained in the Philippines since the 92nd CA was one of the major units stationed at Fort Mills for harbor defenses. After valiant fighting by US forces, Corregidor would eventually fall on May 5th 1942. Lt. William Lewis Jr. was one of the many Americans listed as missing in action. Later information would reveal that Lewis became a POW under the viscous Japanese forces, was sent on the Bataan Death March, and was later sent to Osaka. Fortunately he survived the war, and probably got this canteen and engraved it shortly after his liberation. Lewis' beautiful canteen tells his story. The canteen is engraved with a wonderful US Army Eagle along with his name in two languages underneath. The canteen is also engraved with all of the locations Lewis was at during the war starting with Fort Mills, leading to Bataan, and ending with Osaka. The cup is engraved with the name J.J. Daly and was most likely matched with this canteen. CONDITION: The canteen displays dents and scratches which is expected of a canteen with this history. Overall good. (B) Fine example of WWII trench art with engravings from Mt. Suribachi. The trench art is constructed of a Japanese artillery shell and 3 US .50 caliber rounds. The front of the shell is engraved "Mt. Suribachi / Iwo Jima / 2 Bn 28R 5 Mir. Div." above an American flag. "Feb / 1945" is engraved underneath the flag. The 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, of the 5th Marine Division was the battalion who raised the flag on Iwo Jima. CONDITION: The shell exhibits heavy tarnishing. The engraving is slightly faded but still legible. Overall good. JD
Item Dimensions: 4" X 6" X 7"