Military Collectible Items

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Other Collectible Military Items

Sounds like an odd place to look for military history, doesn't it? But you might be surprised at what can be printed inside a menu. Below, is one from U.S. Naval Training Station, San Diego, California, 1938. Inside are the names of the Commaning Officer, Captain Paul Blackburn, Commander R. J. Carstarphen, and Commissary Officer, Lieutenant Commander R. Montgomery. Then on the next page of course, are the food items. I thought it interesting that at that time, cigarettes were listed on the menu.

Further down the page is a menu from U. S. Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey, that is loaded with information.

The item below, is from Lakehurst, New Jersey, Thanksgiving, 1931. Inside is a list of the entire crew of the air station, the entire crew of the USS Akron, and the entire crew of the USS Los Angeles. Lakehurst is most remembered for being the site of the famous Hindenburg Zeppelin crash. It is also interesting to note that just two years after this menu was printed, the USS Akron crashed in bad weather, and 73 men were lost, so it is probable that many, if not most of the men listed below, as crew for the USS Akron died in that crash. The USS Akron, and the USS Los Angeles were LTA ships, (lighter than air) They were considered blimps.

The example below is from the Officers Mess, at Punta Gorda, Army Air Field, during WW2, in 1944. Inside are the names of Lt. Col. H. A. Hanes, Lt. Col. J. K. Coughlan, Captain M. C. Kubitz, Major R. F. Silber, Major J. C. Gunnison, Captain R. H. Rehm, and Squadron Commanders Major R. F. Silver, Major M. J. Wood, Major J. W. Bland, Captain R.H. Rehm, and 1st Lietenant J. W. Cox.