July 12-14, 2022 Collectible Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/13/2022
Extensive World War II US Marine Corps Uniform, gear, and ephemera grouping named to Ralph Warren Goehring, who served with the 1st Marine Division during World War II. Goehring was born on March 26, 1926 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and joined the Marine Corps in 1944. After graduating boot camp, he was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, which accumulated an impressive record in the early years of WWII. The Division was once again called into action, their objective would be to defeat Japanese forces defending the island of Okinawa with the help of 10th Army. Goehring is marked on the Marine Corps muster rolls as "participated in the landing and assault against enemy Japanese Forces, on Okinawa". The nickname "typhoon of steel", is used to refer to the battle and the fierce fighting which took place between April1-June 22, 1945. Okinawa was critical victory for the United States, as the island provided strategic significance for striking mainland Japan. Goehring survived the battle and participated in the Occupation of China during 1946 with the rest of the 1st Marine Division. His service is reflected through his grouping of memorabilia which includes his P41 fatigue jacket and trousers, both of which are in standard P41 configuration, and are named to Goehring. The jacket is named on the inside collar and the trousers are named in several areas including the rear pockets and waistline. The group also includes 6 khaki USMC shirts, all of which are named in different areas, and one is TAC marked. Goehring also kept his duffle bag, which is named to him and features an interesting camouflaged bottom and UNIS marking. Some smalls include his named canteen cover, watch, and dog tags with partial silencers contained on a wire chain. One of the more interesting pieces of the lot is a meat and noodles C ration can with a note from Goehring which states it was used on Okinawa. The ephemera of the lot includes a box of souvenirs, mostly currency, among other pieces of ephemera which were gathered during the occupation of China. Some of the ephemera is named to his brother Jack Goehring, who was an AA officer in the CBI theater. Lastly, there is an extensive photo album which documents Goehring's service. Over half of the album contains photos which depict the occupation of China, while the other portion contains photos related to Okinawa. Some subject matter includes, battle scenes, Marines in training as well as action, group shots of Ralph and the Goehirng brothers in uniform, cemeteries, dead Japanese soldiers, civilians, scenes in China, Chinese tanks, equipment, and more. The album also contains another set of his dog tags as well as other pieces of 1st Marine Division ephemera. There is also a fold out photo grid which provides an aerial view of Naha marked "SECRET-REDUCED TO RESTRICTED IN COMBAT AREA". CONDITION: The jacket and trousers exhibit stains and wear consistent with fatigues worn in a combat zone. Gear also exhibits expected wear. Some shirts are cleaner than others, with some exhibiting heavy stains. The ephemera exhibits blemishes typical of old paper including edge wear, creases, tears, etc. The photo album is fragile and is falling apart, it will either need to be restored or contents moved to a new album. Overall good. This is a great late WWII USMC grouping. JLD
Item Dimensions: 28" X 18" X 10"