Description:

BATAAN PRISONER'S DECORATED MESS PLATE
A unique relic of the fall of the Philippines, the bottom half of an aluminum U.S. M-1910 "meatcan" mess tray, 8 1/4" x 6 3/4", bearing numerous engraved scenes and inscriptions, all executed by hand with an instrument with a triangular point. The interior of the tray bears a depiction of a tropical shoreline, with a ship at anchor, a large flying boat overhead, and a native outrigger in the foreground. By far the more interesting engravings, however, are found on the exterior. The outer edge is inscribed with the name of Sgt. C.S. Pyle of the 20th Pursuit Squadron, part of the 24th Pursuit Group. This group was wiped out during the defense of the Philippines during the Japanese invasion in 1941-1942, with its survivors fighting as infantry during the Battle of Bataan, and later participating in the Bataan Death March. On the base of the tray, Pyle lists his prewar postings, culminating with Nichols and Clark Fields in the Philippines. He goes on to record his presence at Bataan, the city of Little Baguio, the Cabanatuan Work Camp, and "Prison Camp #1". The base of the tray is further decorated with a labeled depiction of Bataan, with the city of Cavite across a channel, as well as additional local scenes. We believe that the soldier whose name appears on this tray was Technical Sergeant Clarence S. Pyle. Records show that he was a member of the 24th Pursuit Group, was captured at Bataan, and died while in captivity at the Hoten P.O.W. camp in Manchuria on Nov. 21, 1942. His remains are interred at the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific in Honolulu. Present with the item is an A.L.S. from the original owner, stating that she received the tray from her grandfather, a crew member of a transport ship during the war. her account claims that several Japanese soldiers got aboard his ship but were subdued by the crew. This tray was among the items captured from these soldiers. The tray shows dents, scratches, deformation and oxidation, all completely appropriate for having survived one of the harshest and most inhospitable settings of World War II.

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July 31, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000