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View Full Version : USMC WWI Helmet and a story



Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 08:09 AM
This helmet recently came out of an attic near Pueblo, Colorado. <br />
<br />
It belonged to a Marine named Private Benjamin H Donahue, who enlisted on 27 June, 1917. He served with &quot;B&quot; Company, 6th...

Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 08:09 AM
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-975-1226784109.jpg


http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-975-1226783913.jpg

Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 08:10 AM
Next, his gas mask, mask bag, and 'footlong' photo taken before he went 'over there'.

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-975-1226775716.jpg

Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 08:12 AM
He was married just about as soon as he returned from the war:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-214-1226796540.jpg
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-214-1226796558.jpg

Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 08:13 AM
The story doesn't end there....his son, Warren, served in WWII, and ended up a POW:

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-214-1226807598.jpg

Warren was released at the end of the war and died in 2007.

Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 08:17 AM
Now, as to why Pvt Donahue's character was merely 'good', instead of 'excellent' (which was the normal rating in those days)...

It seems that Pvt Donahue made what was considered some 'disparaging' remarks about his officers in a letter back home! Well, this was for sure a big time 'no no', and when the censors found it, he was reported. Officers being officers, they took a dim view of his opinion, and courtmartialed him!

He got 3 months in the brig at hard labor.
And lost 1/8 pay for the same period.
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-214-1226776817.jpg

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/uploads//monthly_11_2008/post-214-1226776839.jpg


Private Donahue died on 5 June of 1962.

Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 08:19 AM
All the information, including the research and photographs, are posted here courtesy of the owner, Mike, and the US Militaria Forum members who did the research. They are posted here with permission, for Marines information and enjoyment.

FistFu68
11-20-08, 11:00 AM
:usmc: THAT HELMET IS BEAUTIFUL :usmc: :iwo:

usmchauer
11-20-08, 01:57 PM
Interesting stuff. Thanks! :thumbup:

SgtThrasher
11-20-08, 02:30 PM
What is the value of the helmet and gas mask?What a treasure
trove and both are in excellent condition.

Sgt Leprechaun
11-20-08, 02:36 PM
As a 'lot', realistically, I'd guess this would easily reach 1000 dollars.

SgtThrasher
11-20-08, 04:01 PM
As a 'lot', realistically, I'd guess this would easily reach 1000 dollars.


I probably wouldn't sell for that amount either.

SGT7477
11-20-08, 07:56 PM
Good stuff Marine.

mgkusmc
12-01-08, 08:57 AM
Very nice helmet, The painted insignia is still in beautiful shape, do you think it had been repainted after the war for veterans functions? And the liner looks really good. I took some saddle soap to a liner I had gotten that looked about the same as yours and it softened it up and cleaned it up real nicely.

Sgt Leprechaun
12-04-08, 08:16 AM
I'd say it's probably an immediate postwar job, based on the fact the EGA is above it, and the apparent age.