A substantial collection of uniforms, headgear, a holster, escape gear, photographs, etc., all from the estate of Navy Lt. Cmdr. Charles M. Melhorn. Melhorn would survive his PT boat's destruction by Japanese destroyers in December, 1942, then receive pilot training and later lead torpedo bombers in the successful sinking of the battleship HARUNA at Kure on July 28, 1945 for which he would be awarded the Navy Cross. Included in this impressive lot are Melhorn's medals, including wartime-issue Navy Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart (reissue), and 2.5 in. gold pilot's wings marked 'IMPERIAL' with a hallmark on the reverse. Insignia include two captains shoulder boards, gold and silver bullion 'wings' chest insignia, six captain's lapel bars, two colonel's oak leaf lapel insignia, and some uniform buttons. Among the uniform items present is Melhorn's Navy utility cap with wings and metallic Navy emblem affixed to the front; Navy M-421 Summer Flying Jacket with a second set of gilt sterling wings affixed to the left breast and two captain's lapel insignia; and a summer cotton twill blouse, four pockets with gold Navy buttons, with captain's shoulder boards (attachments broken). Accessories include Melhorn's flyer's emergency kit, a canvas 6.5 in. deep pouch with 44 in. cotton strap, attached compass, and a sterling pocket knife and 1944 USN rescue whistle attached by a chain; a Boyt 1944 U.S.N. Pilot's holster, leather with strap and custom-added bandolier strap (small repair), his Slote & Klein flight helmet with mic and plug, and his four piece boxed silver-plated shaving kit. Finally, present are Melford's award documents for his Purple Heart (for PT boat service) and his Air Medal, this signed by Admiral ARTHUR W. RADFORD (1896-1973), vice chief of Naval Operations, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and later the second chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as well as a fine wartime portrait of Melhorn in flight gear, a photo of Melhorn and other pilots on the deck of the COWPENS, and an image of the vessel at sea. All items are contained within Melhorn's period Oshkosh Seapack footlocker. These historic relics originate Melhorn's untouched footlocker. Melhorn originally served as an officer aboard PT-44 in the Solomons. He and a fellow PT-44 crewman were plucked from the water by PT-109, president John F. Kennedy's future command, following his ship's destruction by Japanese destroyers on Dec. 12, 1942. In fact, two of the men lost in the destruction of PT-44 had transferred to that vessel from PT-109 only a few weeks earlier. Melhorn later became a Navy aviator serving aboard the carrier USS COWPENS. Her planes pounded Tokyo, Kure, and other cities of Hokkaido and Honshu until August 15. COWPENS was the first American carrier to enter Tokyo Harbor. She remained off Tokyo Bay until the occupation landings began on August 30, and men from the COWPENS were the first Americans to set foot on the Japanese mainland.