Images(3)

Badge, Membership

Object number2017.91.25

Manufacturer A.G. Trimble Company

Date1953

OriginPittsburgh, PA

MediumBrass; Metal; Fabric; Paper; Graphite/Lead; Paint

Credit LineIn memory of Harry "Bus" Means

DescriptionConvention event badge. Gold metal framed name window at top with pinback on reverse; off-white paper insert has handwritten name in pencil. Ribbon suspended from top has vertical stripes, from viewer's left to right gold, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, black, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, gold; gold painted text across center. Medallion suspended from bottom of ribbon is in the shape of the state of Pennsylvania; medallion is gold with blue details; front has banner at top with text above a view of downtown Pittsburgh's Point above two American Legion convention logos flanking convention information at center. Reverse of medallion has horizontal stripes with maker information across center including union labels.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 4 x 2.313 x 0.375 in. (10.2 x 5.9 x 1 cm)
InscriptionsFront of top bar has handwritten text in pencil "Harry Means".

Front of ribbon has gold painted text across center "DELEGATE".

Front of medallion has blue and gold text across top "DEPT. OF PENNSYLVANIA", in viewer's bottom left corner "35TH ANNUAL / AMERICAN / LEGION / CONVENTION", at bottom center "PITTSBURGH / JULY 28-AUG. 1 / 1953", and in viewer's bottom right corner "33RD ANNUAL / AMERICAN LEGION / AUXILIARY / CONVENTION".
MarksReverse has text at center "SM / 762 IPEU MADE FOR 7 [union label] 8 / A. G. TRIMBLE / PITTSBURGH, PENNA."
Historical NotesPart of a collection related to Harry "Bus" Means. This extensive collection of military uniforms and equipment relates to the life and career of U.S. Marines Corps chief flight mechanic Sergeant Harry “Bus” Means of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Means served with multiple units during WWII and immediately afterwards, including the “Bombing Banshees” VMSB-244 flight squadron that participated in the occupation of China and the Philippines. Means served through 1946, then returned to service during the Korean War, so his story represents the Cold War history of those whose military participation did not end with the official surrender of the Japanese in WWII. The collection contains artifacts representing the post-War occupation of China and the Pacific Islands, and also reminders of the regional tensions that led to conflict again in Southeast Asia within ten years. The collection also includes more general materials from Mean’s childhood in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and his civilian occupations, such as his role as a USPS mail carrier.

Previous owner Sergeant Harry E. Means

Related institution United States Marine Corps

Related institution Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 244

Related institution American Legion (founded 1919)

Related institution Allied Printing

Subjects