WWII USN D-Day Invasion Pharmacist's Mate Fixed Loop M1 Helmet & West. Liner Set
This original, and rather exceptional, WWII U.S. helmet is identified to D-Day veteran and Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class (PhM2c) Frank John Rajki, serial number 821 13 10. View the Veteran's Information Section for more details regarding Rajki's life and military service. The wartime painted markings have been authenticated with the assistance of advanced digital microscopy. The paint's micro cracking, which most forgers have yet to correctly replicate, is readily apparent under magnification. The McCord manufactured helmet's heat stamp of 754C dates its production to November 1943. In addition to the helmet's original medical marking, it showcases its original factory finish, cork texture, and OD#3 (khaki) chinstraps. The helmet comes complete with its original Westinghouse manufactured liner. The liner features blackened brass A-washers, dating its production from mid-1944 to 1945. The liner's khaki suspension is strong and intact. It comes complete with its original headband, neckband, and green-buckled leather liner strap. The liner's exterior showcases its original olive drab factory paint.
Veteran's Information
Frank John Rajki was born on May 24, 1917 in Bath, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Navy on April 16, 1943 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Interestingly, a WWII Registry entry (below) provided by Rajki's son, Edward, shows that during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, France, Frank J. Rajki was serving aboard a hospital ship just off the Normandy coastline. Edward lists the ship as the USS Mercy (AH-8), however the Mercy was actually in the PTO at this time. His father's wartime muster rolls (below), in fact, show that from April to June of 1944 he served aboard LST-495 and in July the hospital ship USS Refuge (AH-11) - both of which participated in the D-Day Invasion, with LST-495 landing on the "Dog Red" sector of Omaha Beach at 1925 (7:25 PM). At 72 years of age, Rajki died on September 8, 1989 in Reno, Nevada. Made available to the new owner, below, are Rajki's files recovered from Ancestry.com, as well as a link to his memorial entry.
