Name/Title
US Navy Dress White Service JumperDescription
White US Navy cotton jumper with 'WC Gauding' stamped in the waistband. A patch with two black bars and eagle and propeller embroidered on left shoulder indicated a Machinist's Mate, second class. Stains and discoloration appear throughout.Use
Issued by the US Navy to sailors as a part of their white service uniform.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 CollectionAcquisition
Accession
2022.0009Source or Donor
Cheryl Gauding CettomaiAcquisition Method
GiftMade/Created
Date made
circa 1942 - circa 1945Update Date
August 2, 2024
