WW2 Named Iwo Jima Seabee CEC Officer Grouping USN Gold ID Bracelet Ring Viking For Sale

WW2 Named Iwo Jima Seabee CEC Officer Grouping USN Gold ID Bracelet Ring Viking

WW2 Named Iwo Jima Seabee CEC Officer Grouping USN Gold ID Bracelet Ring Viking

Up for purchase is an exceptionally scarce, historically matched World War 2 Pacific Theater officer archive. This veteran lot centers on U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) Officer Marvin B. Meredith of Marion, Indiana, who served on the front lines commanding Seabees during the grueling Battle of Iwo Jima (February–March 1945).

This premium archive seamlessly bridges the creative resilience of theater-crafted "trench art" with verified, high-ranking combat engineering provenance. The Civil Engineer Corps and their Seabee battalions were the architectural backbone of the island assault, operating and engineering under heavy, active enemy fire.

COMPLETE COMPONENT ARCHIVE LIST:

1. The Double-Engraved Trench Art Signet Ring: Hand-hewn from non-magnetic aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. Beyond his hand-scribed personal monogram initials "M.B.M." centered on the face, "Iwo Jima" is deeply hand-engraved on both flanking sides of the band.
2. The Official USN Officer's ID Bracelet: A premium, heavy-gauge gold-plated curb chain and identity plaque, cleanly period-engraved with his identification full name, hometown,and navy service number.
3. WW2 U.S. Navy Warrant Officer Crossed-Anchors Cap Insignia: A beautifully struck uniform piece carrying the highly coveted, period-correct "VIKING" maker mark (Hilborn-Hamburger) with STERLING 4 1/20 10K stamped cleanly on the reverse.
4. WW2 U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps (CEC) Officer's Collar Pin: The distinctive, small pinback insignia showcasing the detailed crossed oak leaves and acorns—confirming his specialist officer rank.
5. Original Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) Type 94 37mm Silk Propellant Bag: An extraordinary, museum-grade battlefield souvenir repurposed by the officer to secure his personal effects. (Full translation details below).
6. Elite Japanese Imperial Navy Button: A rare combat pickup featuring a traditional fouled anchor and distinct localized numbering, originating from the uniform of the elite Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF) defending the island. (IJN) 21mm Uniform Button: An authentic, early-to-mid-war two-piece brass uniform button featuring the fouled anchor and sakura (cherry blossom) insignia. This is the 21mm size used for heavy outerwear and cold-weather tunics. The reverse features the highly desirable stamped laurel wreath border.

   On Iwo Jima, this specific style of button was worn by:
   

   • The Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF): These were the elite Japanese Marines. Unlike the regular Japanese Imperial Army, the SNLF fell directly under the Navy's command structure. They wore specialized olive-drab or green canvas and wool field tunics (Rikusenfuku) fitted with these exact brass naval anchor buttons.
   • Naval Guard and Air Defense Units: The Navy deployed thousands of land-based troops to Iwo Jima to man the heavy anti-aircraft batteries and coastal defense guns dug into Mount Suribachi and the northern plateaus.
   • Naval Officers & Command Staff: Elite leaders—including Rear Admiral Toshinosuke Ichimaru, who commanded all naval forces on the island—wore these 21mm high-dome brass buttons on their double-breasted dress and service tunics.

   When Sailor Marvin B. Meredith was on or around the island, these prominent, stamped brass buttons were easily salvaged directly from uniform tunics left in the defensive caves or on the battlefield, making them iconic souvenirs for U.S. servicemen.

7. Personal Protection Catholic Devotional Medal: A small, silver-toned aluminum religious medal carried throughout the campaign as personal protection.( St. Benedict;Spiritual Protection:Protectionagainst poison, witchcraft, temptations, curses, and evil forces.)
8. U.S. Navy Marked Personal Soap Box: An authentic, USN-stamped hard-shell hygiene case carried daily in theater (The grouping was stored in it since the war).
9. Pre-Iwo Jima Amphibious Training Blank Shell Casing: A large-caliber brass shell casing salvaged from the high-intensity naval landing maneuvers conducted by the fleet immediately prior to embarking for the final assault marked on the bottom A4F.
10. (2) Original WW2 US Military "Ruptured Duck" Honorable Discharge Lapel Buttons:The official gilt-brass buttons were awarded to Sailor Meredith upon his honorable discharge at the end of the war, used to symbolize his return to civilian life in Indiana.
    

TROPHY FOCUS: THE TYPE 94 SILK PROPELLANT BAG

Measuring approximately 8 inches, this combustible silk bag was engineered to hold the standardized powder propellant charges loaded directly into the breech behind the shell of a Type 94 37mm anti-tank and infantry gun. When fired, the specialized silk was designed to burn away entirely, preventing residue from fouling the gun chamber.

The front displays remarkably crisp, legible stenciled black kanji text flanking the crossed-cannons Imperial ordnance branch insignia.

• 九四式三七粍砲 Translation: Type 94 37mm Gun
• 昭 十四 / 8 Translation: Shōwa Year 14 (1939), August production mark

Context: The Type 94 37mm anti-tank gun was a cornerstone of General Kuribayashi’s hidden bunker and cave network defenses on Iwo Jima, used to ambush American armor from concealed fortifications. Because this unissued silk bag was stored safely deep within an underground bunker or transit ammunition chest, it completely survived the fierce naval bombardment.

PROVENANCE & HISTORICAL FOOTPRINT:

Unlike typical anonymous pieces of wartime militaria, this lot features absolute, unbroken provenance. The hand-engraved initials "M.B.M." on the trench art ring match Marvin B. Meredith’s official navy service markers and his heavy, gold-plated USN identification bracelet flawlessly. As a CEC (Civil Engineer Corps)officer, Marvin directed the "Fighting Builders" as they landed under intense mortar and artillery fire to accomplish the near-impossible: repairing black-sand airfields, clearing deadly beach wreckage, and keeping heavy infrastructure operational while being actively targeted by the island's defenders. Following his return to Indiana, Marvin spent decades working as an RCA machine attendant—a lifelong career that perfectly mirrors the meticulous hand-filing, mechanical precision, and layouts required to carve this heavy aluminum ring from a piece of scrap wartime aircraft hardware. He passed away in 1998, leaving behind this remarkable, multi-layered tangible footprint of American heroism.

VINTAGE CONDITION REPORT:

All items are in authentic, untouched, as-found condition. They carry the beautiful, natural, theater-worn age patina that advanced collectors demand, completely free of modern cleaning, alterations, chemical compounds, or polish. The hallmark on the reverse of the Viking-marked anchors is crisp and legible. The Japanese silk bag remains structurally sound with vibrant stenciling.

SHIPPING, INSURANCE & HANDLING:

• Universally packed with collector-grade care in a heavy-duty box with tracking.

(please see pictures)

THESE ARE NOT REPRODUCTION.

PLEASE SEE MY 100% POSITIVE response AND BUY WITH CONFIDENCE.