Name/Title
6th Marine BoxEntry/Object ID
2016.4.1Description
Wood box, well made tounge and groove with fourth marines, third marine brigade, twenty second marines artwork on front. Looks like it may have been a portable vanity?
From the estate of Edward Skiba
Jeff Domzalski came into possession of this box after Edward Skiba’s death. When he donated it to the museum, he provided a copy of Cpl. Skiba’s obituary, which gave us the following information.
Edward S. Skiba was born August 21, 1921 in Hamtramck and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on June 15, 1944. He trained as a machine gunner, sailed to Guadalcanal where the 6th Marine Division was formed. He served in the, 22nd Regiment Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion and became a radio operator in I – Company. Edward fought in Okinawa from April 1, 1945 until June 30, 1945. He sailed to Guam at which time the war ended. He went to Tsingtao, China where the Japanese surrendered.
His rank was Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps when he was awarded the Presidential Unit with ribbon bar (awarded to the 6th Marine Division for service on Okinawa in 1945). He was also awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Edward tirelessly served as a member of the VFW Post #2358 in Roseville, Michigan, and worked at Michigan Bell Telephone. He died September 11, 2014.
This vanity case has a mirror inside, the assumption is that it is some sort of Japanese equipment case, but we shared images of it with several collectors of WWII Japanese gear, and no one can Identify it.
The paint job shows pride in service. Souvenirs like this were popular with service members waiting to return home after the war. Service members with artistic talents and access to paint supplies would sometimes produce items like this and sell them to fellow soldiers, sailors, and marines seeking mementos to take home.
Edward Stanley Skiba, age 93 of Roseville, died Thursday, September 11, 2014 at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mt. Clemens. He was born August 21, 1921 in Hamtramck, son of the late Julius and the late Anna (nee: Panek) Skiba.
Edward was the beloved husband of Blanche for 67 years. Dear father of Randy Skiba and Claire (Thomas) Schmitz .
Edward retired from Michigan Bell Telephone.
Edward enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on June 15, 1944. He trained as a machine gunner, sailed to Guadalcanal where the 6th Marine Division was formed. He served in the 22nd Regiment Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, and became a radio operator in I – Company. Edward fought in Okinawa from April 1, 1945 until June 30, 1945. He sailed to Guam at which time the war ended. He went to Tsingtao, China where the Japanese surrendered. His rank was Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps. He was awarded the Presidential Unit with ribbon bar, awarded to the 6th Marine Division for service on Okinawa in 1945. He was also awarded the American Defense Service Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, China Service Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Following his discharge from the Marine Corps, Edward tirelessly served as a member of the VFW Post #2358 in Roseville, Michigan.
Mr. Skiba was a true family man.
Visitation for Edward will be held on Sunday from 3-8pm, with a 6:30pm VFW Memorial Service, at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren. His Funeral Service will be conducted at 12:30 pm on Monday at the funeral home. Following the service, Edward's time in the Marine's will be recognized & honored with the rendering of Military Honors. Interment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.Cataloged By
Chris CausleyAcquisition
Accession
2016.4Source or Donor
Jeff DomzalskiAcquisition Method
DonationSource (if not Accessioned)
Jeff DomzalskiMade/Created
Date made
circa 1941 - circa 1946Time Period
World War TwoLocation
Location
Tall Display Case
Display Case T* Untyped Location
Main Gallery SouthCategory
ExhibitCondition
Overall Condition
Very Good
