Description:

BUTTON FROM A CAPTURED U-505 OFFICER'S JACKET
A great relic taken in the famous capture of the German U-boat U-505, a brass button recovered from the vessel, presumably removed from an officer's jacket. The button displays an anchor and chain, with the reverse marked" "KRIEGSMARINE 1940" with an "M" shown within a square. The button is accompanied by a letter of provenance, a T.L.S. by Suzanne Mellberg, 1p. 4to., Mar. 31, 2004. In part: "...My father Jesse G. Johnson was the XO (Executive Officer) on board the USS GUADALCANAL...on June 4, 1944 the German submarine U-505 was captured by the crew of the Guadalcanal. This [button] was taken of the U-505...[and] has been in my possession since the death of my father...". On June 4, 1944 Avenger aircraft from the GUADALCANAL depth-charged U-505 rupturing her hull and forcing her to the surface. Under intense fire, the crew abandoned ship. Salvage crews from the GUADALCANAL and destroyer PILLSBURY boarded the submarine, attached a tow line, and searched for intelligence which ultimately proved of enormous value. The submarine remains on display today in Chicago.

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December 8, 2015 10:30 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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