Name/Title
US Navy Navy Flat CapDescription
Wool US Navy dress blue flat cap with "U.S. Navy" embroidered in gold along the brim and a leather lining.Use
Issued to US Navy sailors as a part of the dress blues 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
April 3, 2025
