U.S. Maritime Service Chief Petty Office cap badge (Type 2 – Variant 2) One piece construction. Seal, 25mm diameter; Anchor, 50mm length. Coro (Cohn & Rosenberger) hallmark. Anchor and device stamped brass, sterling plated (marked); red enamel band and shield. Mid-to-post Second World War era; 1942-1947. This is the second design of the USMS CPO […]
Tag: usms
united states maritime service: an introduction
The United States Maritime Service (USMS) was established in 1938. It was the body responsible for training merchant seamen as legislated for by the Merchant Marine Act of 1936. During the Second World War, it performed the essential function of training over 100,000 individuals to fill berths on United States merchantmen as either unlicensed or […]
usms rates, 1945
In June 1945, the United States Maritime Service published the first information manual for uniformed employees (enrollees) of the USMS; they were called “Ship’s Company.” Among other topics, the manual illustrated all extant rates and rating badges. Altogether, the service had fifty-two possible rates with thirty-three unique insignia. Prior to 1945, it seems no two […]
usms shoulder boards
United States Maritime Service Shoulder Boards United States Maritime Service took its uniform and insignia cues from the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy; U.S. Code called for adherence to the rank structure of the former. Just as the relatively new U.S. Coast Guard placed its distinguishing device – a shield – in the place […]
usms uniforms: enlisted & unlicensed trainees
USMS Chief Petty Officer, 1944 USMS Trainee, 1943
usms garrison caps
In mid-1944 the U.S. Maritime Service published two guides on how to wear its uniforms and insignia – codifying practices once left up to the discretion of the wearer. The first guide was in the form of a pamphlet and was distributed to individuals who graduated from officer upgrade schools, and the second was a […]
usmma uniforms: service dress khaki 1960-1970
service dress khaki, 1960-1970 This uniform coat was put together by a collector not so much to deceive but as a display item. The thought was to represent the working, shipboard uniform of a radio technician from the early Second World War. The buttons, lack of service ribbons, and U.S.N.R. badge are correct for the […]
usmm uniforms: slate gray uniform, 1943
On 16 April 1943 the Chief of Naval Personnel sent a letter to “All Ships and Stations” causing nothing short of a tempest in a teapot. The order authorized the creation of the working slate gray uniform (this uniform is known alternately as “working grays” or simply “grays”). As uniforms go, this one was immediately […]
U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps (pre-1942) Yellow-goldenrod thread. Embroidered anchor on wool backing and mohair band. Pre-to-early Second World War era; 1939-1942. From the period following the First World War through the Depression, the U.S. Merchant Shipping industry was in a shambles: once profitable companies faltered and fell, ocean-going trade evaporated and even intercoastal shipping […]