Early-WWII Second Lieutenant's Inland M1 Helmet Liner (ID'd)
This original early-WWII Inland manufactured M1 helmet liner is ID'd to Second Lieutenant Robert J. Alexander, serial number O-15577243. View the Veteran's Information Section for more details regarding Alexander's life and military service. In addition to its original rank insignia, the exterior retains its original olive drab factory finish, while the interior is painted with Alexander's laundry number, "A7243". The liner features non-painted steel A-washers and a khaki suspension, dating its production from mid-1942 to mid-1943. The khaki suspension is strong and intact. It comes complete with its original double-wire headband and green-buckled leather liner strap.
Veteran's Information
Robert James Alexander was born on June 13, 1915 in Toledo, Ohio. Alexander enlisted in the United States Army on January 23, 1943. At this time, he was still an enlisted man and his serial number of 35543625 had yet to change to O-1557724. After the war, he coached the Army Marksmanship Unit pistol team and eventually retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. At 70 years of age, Lt. Col. Alexander died on July 9, 1985. Made available to the new owner are four wartime photographs of Alexander: (1) at the Passo del Brennero (Italy-Austria border), in which he is holding this same helmet liner, with the yellow Second Lt.'s bar clearly visible; (2) in front of the VI U.S. Corps's billboard just outside of Austria, again holding this same helmet liner; (3) in front of a German aircraft in Vilich-Müldorf and lastly; (4) among the reinforced concrete tank barriers at the Siegfried Line. It is an incredibly rare opportunity to own an identified item, with wartime photographs of that specific item actually being used. Below, are Alexander's records from the National Archives and Ancestry.com. Normally, we would have also requested Alexander's complete file through a FOIA request, however this is unavailable at the time of writing - there is still plenty of research for the new owner to do!
