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He became executive officer of the carrier USS Saratoga, Commander Aircraft Battle Force of the U.S. Fleet, and attended the Naval War College where Draemel was an instructor. By the beginning of World War II, Turner was a rear admiral and was the director of the navy’s Department of War Plans
in Naval Operations. On 25 November 1941, Turner drafted a dispatch intended for release by the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), in which he warned of a likely impending attack by the Empire of Japan. The CNO took this message to the president, who softened the language of the message, lowering its tone of urgency, and released it under his own name. Many claim that this change in language played a role in the lack of combat readiness among the fleet at Pearl Harbor, as well as
the disastrous defeat that took place there on 7 December 1941. In December that same year, Turner 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: 7,000 - 14,000
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