US Navy Peacoat

Name/Title

US Navy Peacoat

Description

A wool navy blue peacoat with matching plastic buttons with the fouled anchor motif.

Use

Issued to US Navy personnel for warmth in cold weather.

Context

Both a plankowner and serving on board the USS Laffey (DD-724) throughout the war, Machinist’s Mate 2/c, Wilbert C. Gauding was aboard the destroyer at D-Day and the Battle of Okinawa. Of the deadly attack off Okinawa, Gauding described listening for the guns. “The five-inch guns would start to fire, then the 40 mm, and last, the 20mm. I knew the suicide planes were about to hit!” That day, the Laffey became the most bombed ship to survive World War II without sinking. Gauding survived the deadly attack and became a life-long supporter of the USS Laffey and Patriots Point.

Collection

Wilbert Gauding Collection

Acquisition

Accession

2024.19

Source or Donor

Cheryl Gauding Cettomai

Acquisition Method

Donation

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1942 - circa 1945

Update Date

November 14, 2024