Ext. Rare WWII USS Lexington CV-16 Shipboard Made Badge Master at Arms (MAA) Grouping

ARTIFACT: This is an extremely rare shipboard-made WWII USN Master at Arms Badge from one of the most famous Carriers of the war! Biographically documented to Machinist Mate 2nd Class Cecil R. Hobbs. Made of hand cut and stamped stainless steel, with a one-piece steel pin lead soldered to the back. Ribbons noted but not ID'd are: stand-alone w/one star (for 2nd award): presidential unit citation (give to the USS Lexington), ribbon with 4 battles stars: Asiatic Pacific Campaign, ribbon with 2 battle stars: Philippine Liberation Medal (Issued by the Philippines, not the US). We found evidence in Ship's Musters that MM2 Hobbs started his sailing career on the USS Belleau Woods (CVL-24) during the ship's commissioning in March of 1943, but was sailing on the USS Lexington (CV-16) by December 1943, and stayed on at least through May of 1945 (see muster roll images below). Hobbs shows up on the Belleau Woods again in a 1946 Cruise Book, so it is presumed he was sent back to that ship after the end of hostilities. The grouping includes a master-at-arms badge, a dog tag and key, two ribbon bars (one with one star and one with six), an ID bracelet, a sweetheart locket engraved to Mrs. Cecil Hobbs, a US Naval Reserve honorable discharge pin and a VFW insignia. Nicknamed "The Blue Ghost", the Lexington came back from the dead each of the four times the Japanese reported her "sunk" in the Pacific. In her career, the Lexington served the longest and set more records than any other aircraft carrier. On December 4th, 1943 nine people were killed after the Lexington was hit by a torpedo the ship and was reported sunk by Japan's Tokyo Rose, it was February (1944) when repairs were finally complete. In April, while supporting Army landings, heavy counter attacks left the Lexington untouched, and though 17 enemy fighters were shot down, Japanese propaganda announced her sunk for the second time. For the third time the Japanese announced the Lexington 'sunk' in June after it fought off a fierce attack by Japanese torpedo planes based on Guam and emerged unhurt. During the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October, the carrier came under constant enemy attack in the engagement and sunk the Musashi, made hits on three cruisers, and on the next day, sank the Chitose, Zuikaku, and aided in sinking the Zuihō. In November the Lexington sank Nachi with four torpedo hits and later that day was introduced to the kamikaze as a flaming Japanese plane crashed near her island, destroying most of the island structure, upon arrival in Ulithi to repair battle damage the Lexington learned that Tokyo had once again claimed her sunk.

VINTAGE: Circa 1944-45 (WWII).

SIZE: Items are of various sizes: MMA badge is 2-3/16" in height and 2-3/16" in width.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: MMA badge: nickel-plated brass with painted letters; sweetheart locket: gold-plated brass with photograph inside; VFW pin: sterling; discharge pin: gold-plated brass with white enamel; ID bracelet: gold-filled; ribbon bars: silk-wrapped steel with brass stars (one bar wrapped in celluloid).

ATTACHMENT: MMA badge: vertical pin with "C" catch; sweetheart locket: horizontal pin on bar with "C" catch and locket clasp; VFW pin: single screw post with disc backing; discharge pin: lapel stud; ID bracelet: bracelet clasp with chain; dog tag: hole with cord; bars: horizontal pins with come-under locking swivel catches.

MARKINGS: Sweetheart locket: 19 TEMPLE ST. SOMERVILLE. MASS. on reverse; ID bracelet: reads CECIL R. HOBBS 203-72-54 USN with 1/1-12 K GF on reverse; dog tag: reads CECIL REGINOLD HOBBS 203-72-54 T 11/42 USNR 0.

ITEM NOTES: This is from a United States Navy collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. ebay VHJX98 LDIEX8/10 SLGGEX11/14

CONDITION: 8 (Excellent): Items are in various conditions but overall are excellent.