Lot 529

WWII NAMED PT-BOAT GROUPING WITH PAINTED HELMET

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WWII NAMED PT-BOAT GROUPING WITH PAINTED HELMET

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Current Bid: $400

(1 Bid)

by Milestone Auctions
August 1, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
38198 Willoughby Parkway
Willoughby, OH, US 44094

Identified grouping of a member of Torpedo Boat Squadron 16 to include 1) Fixed Bale US Navy Blue/Gray painted M1 Combat helmet with a Firestone liner that is complete. The reverse of the helmet and well as the blue/gray liner is marked J.J. for John J. O'Reilly Jr. 2) WWII US Navy Life preserver marked to S. A. Anderson MTB Ron 16 who also served with John J O'Reilly on the same boat. 3) M1911 Leather Holster Modified to be used as a shoulder holster 4) Photos of the Christening of his PT Boat along with there crew members 5) Ephemera such as letters and various cards along with John J. O'reilly's Naval rate and his PT Boat Badge in Sterling 6) Polaroid All Purpose Goggles also marked to J.J.  O'Reilly 7) Lastly a .50 Bullet. Excellent.  Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 16 (PTRon 16) was a highly decorated US Navy unit that served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. Commissioned in 1943, the squadron fought in the Aleutian Campaign, Dutch New Guinea, and the Philippines, capping off their deployment by engaging Japanese kamikazes at Mindoro.Formation & Deployment TimelineCommand: Commanded initially by Lieutenant Commander Almer P. Colvin and later Lieutenant R. H. Hallowell.Vessels: Primarily equipped with fast, 78-foot Higgins PT boats.Aleutians (Aug 1943 - May 1944): The squadron saw its initial service operating in the harsh, freezing waters of Alaska.Southwest Pacific: Relocated to Dutch New Guinea, providing crucial patrols and reconnaissance.The Philippines: Saw intense action in the Philippines—specifically Batangas Bay and Mindoro—earning the Navy Unit Commendation for their operations from December 15 to 19, 1944.Borneo: Finished the war operating in the Brunei Bay area.Boats and MenPT Squadron 16 utilized Higgins-built boats such as PT-295, PT-300, and later boats (including PT-220 through PT-242). These vessels were armed with Packard marine engines, torpedoes, 40mm and 20mm anti-aircraft guns, and heavy machine guns. They relied on nighttime, hit-and-run tactics to ambush enemy shipping and protect allied flanks. 

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $999 $25
$1,000 $1,999 $50
$2,000 $4,999 $100
$5,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $24,999 $500
$25,000 $49,999 $1,000
$50,000 $99,999 $2,500
$100,000 + $5,000