Late-WWII U.S. Second Lieutenant's Inland/Firestone M1 Helmet Liner (ID'd Group)
This is an original late-WWII Second Lieutenant's Inland/Firestone manufactured M1 helmet liner. It once belonged to a Korean War era veteran, Robert "Bob" Johnston III. His framed officer's appointment is included in the purchase. View the Veteran's Information Section for more details regarding Johnston's life and military service. The liner's front exhibits an original hand-painted officer's rank. The blackened brass A-washers date the liner's production from mid-1944 to 1945. The khaki suspension is strong and intact. It comes complete with its original headband, neckband, and green-buckled leather liner strap. In addition to the original ranking, the exterior showcases a genuine field repaint.
Veteran's Information
Robert "Bob" Johnston III was born on December 18, 1929 in New York City. In 1939, his family moved to Cooperstown, New York, home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, where Bob had the unforgettable experience of shaking hands with George Herman "Babe" Ruth at the Centennial Celebration of the founding of the game of baseball by Major General Abner Doubleday in 1839. After receiving his education at Princeton, Bob joined the Army. On June 12, 1951 he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Artillery and was called to active duty on July 21, 1952. Following service at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Bob was sent to Berlin Germany which at the time was surrounded by the Russian and communist East German armies. He was promoted to First Lieutenant in January 21, 1954.
