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In December that same year, Turned was appointed assistant chief of staff to the Commander in Chief, United States Fleet, and in June of 1942 was appointed commander of Amphibious Force, South Pacific Force. Through the rest of the war, Turner held various senior amphibious commands which had him involved in almost every major amphibious operation in the Pacific Theater including Guadalcanal, the Russell Islands, Tarawa, Makin, the Marshall Islands, Tinian, Guam, Saipan, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. On 24 May 1945, Turner was promoted to full admiral, and there is little doubt that had there been an invasion of the Japanese mainland undertaken, it would have been Admiral Turner that commanded it. He was present at the surrender of the Empire of Japan and can be seen in many of the photographs of the signing of the surrender, some of which are included. He retired from active duty in 1947 and died
in 1961.
A plethora of items are included with the lot, many related to either of these men. In a small display case are two sets of shoulder boards, one for a rear admiral and one for a midshipman second class at the Naval Academy, a Navy Cross, two Distinguished Service Medals, two Legion of Merit medals, two sets of stars, one for a rear admiral (upper half ) and one for an admiral, a Great White Fleet challenge coin, an empty brass case (possibly for a compass), and an empty pocket watch case marked “BUREAU OF SHIPS/U.S. NAVY/COMPARING WATCH” and dated 1942. An 1872 Pattern U.S. naval officer’s sword is included with the Draemel’s initials inscribed on the top of the pommel and has an ornately etched blade. A cased epaulette
set bearing commander rank with bicorne hat and sword belt. The lot also includes a large grouping of books, many of which are copies of “Lucky Bag” (Naval Academy yearbook)
from various years, some pertaining to amphibious operations in the Pacific Theater, a naval aviation book in a hardwood case, and some pertaining generally to the navy. There is a framed print of the U.S. Naval Academy in 1908 by Richard Rummell. Along with all of this is a “souvenir copy” of “Instrument of Surrender of the Japanese Emperor and Government at Tokyo Bay” which is signed by Admiral Turner to Lieutenant R.P. Mathias, also of the U.S. Navy, as well as various pictures taken at the surrender ceremony.
The pistol itself was manufactured in 1906 and exhibits remnants of the early-production high polish blue finish and rounded hammer which was completely phased out around serial number 37000, when the numbers began ascending again from 30200 to 43266. This pistol was manufactured in the first serial number block descending from 15200 to 11000. The left side of the slide is marked with the two-line patent date and two-line address arranged in two blocks with the circled Rampant Colt at the rear. The right side of the slide has the two-line caliber marking in front of the ejector port. The left side of the frame has the serial number and “VP” and “1” on the trigger guard. It is fitted with blade and rounded top notch sights, serrations at the rear of the slide, a lanyard swivel on the lower left of the grip frame,
and an unmarked full blue magazine. The grips were likely fitted by Draemel during
the pistol’s time of use and have been carved with his initials “MD” on the left, a Billiken
on the right (a popular good luck charm around the time), and matching checkering
patterns on both.
CONDITION: Very good, retains 20% of the original blue finish, mostly visible in sheltered areas, with the balance a smooth grey patina and a few scattered patches of light pitting.
The grips are fine with some scattered light handling marks, three replacement screws,
and a small patch of glue on one of the letters on the left. Mechanically excellent. The
sword is fine showing an attractive aged patina.
Other accessories are generally fine or better with some showing some mild
wear. The books, photos, and documents are generally good or better with a few showing heavier wear. An impressive collection of U.S. Navy memorabilia with deep connections to two of its legendary admirals, one a Commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy and the other in command of the most pivotal amphibious assaults in the Pacific Theater during World War II!
Estimate: 8,000 - 15,000
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