The US military saw the success of German paratroopers in 1940, and quickly set about creating its own elite airborne units. The US Marine Corps, already an elite force, scoured its ranks for the fittest men to organize into parachute battalions. The "Paramarines" fought on Gavutu and Tanambogo, Tulagi, and Guadalcanal in the Solomons, taking part in the pivotal battle of Edson's Ridge, wrested the island of Vella Lavella from the Japanese, and saw their last action on Bougainville in late 1943, early 1944. The unit was then disbanded, and the battle hardened Paramarine vets formed the nucleus of the newly formed 5th Marine Division, and almost all of them served as NCOs on Iwo Jima in early 1945. PFC Chuck Tatum of "The Pacific" fame recalled in his book "Red Blood, Black Sand": "The swashbuckling, cocky attitude of the paratroopers exerted a strong influence on the makeup of the 5th Division." Special headgear was developed for the Paramarines, including a USMC contracted NAF 1092 leather jump helmet for wear under the steel pot and liner. This USMC Marine US WW2 Paramarine NAF 1092 Goatskin Leather Jump Helmet is in very good condition, with a small tear in the chamois lining at the interior left ear, missing the chin cup, and with some light overall age wear evident. Most interestingly, it's "U.S.M.C." stamped in black at the back left crown, boasts the classic front “bill”, triple crown seams, and goggle retention tabs at back, and carries the original "NAF 1092 / SLOTE & KLEIN" contract label inside, which is marked with the unique "NOm" prefixed Marine Corps contract number. It features the traditional chamois lining, and is a fine example of a very rare, original USMC Marine US WW2 Paramarine NAF 1092 Goatskin Leather Jump Helmet. Also included is a nice USN WW2 ANB-H-1 Headset with “NAF” ear cups, as well as the original wiring and end plug, which would likely make a better addition to a naval aviator display.
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