Early-WWII Hawley M1 Helmet Liner With Rayon Suspension (Guadalcanal Marine)
This original early-WWII Hawley liner is ID'd to Guadalcanal-veteran, Private First Class Elwood H. Dellinger Jr., serial number 367047. View the Veteran's Information section for more details regarding the Marine's service. This liner features non-painted aluminum rectangular washers, a first pattern rayon suspension, and a wonderfully intact stationary leather liner strap. These features date the liner's production from mid-1941 to mid-1942. The rayon suspension is strong and intact. It comes complete with its original rayon neckband and a recently installed size 7 1/4 rayon headband, which matches the liner's suspension perfectly. This liner would display quite nicely when paired with an early-war fixed loop helmet shell and a USMC camouflage cover.
Veteran's Information
Shenandoah County, Virginia resident, Pfc. Elwood H. Dellinger Jr., serial number 367047, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 28, 1942. Pfc. Dellinger Jr. fought on Guadalcanal as a member of C Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. According to original wartime muster rolls, Pfc. Dellinger Jr. suffered a gunshot wound to his left leg on January 10, 1944 while fighting the Japanese on Cape Gloucester. He was evacuated from the island shortly thereafter via an LST that took him to hospital ship APO-322. He eventually returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he was honorably discharged in 1946. The new owner will receive 66 files, extensively detailing Pfc. Dellinger Jr.'s military service record (available below).
