Captain Frederick H. Wahlig, USN- His Dress White Cover- A WWII Sub Commander. SOLD

Description

Captain Frederick H. Wahlig, USN- His Dress White Cover- A WWII Sub Commander.

Frederick H. Wahlig, USNA Class of 1933.  He attended submarine school at New London, Connecticut.  His first submarine assignment was on the USS S-47, operating out of Panama. In 1941, he was assigned to the USS Mackerel (SS-204), as the executive officer, and in May of 1942, became the captain of the boat. Mackerel was assigned to Submarine Squadron 1, out of New London, Conn.  She was designed as an experimental sub, use for training.

In November 12, 1943, Wahlig received command of the USS Grouper, (SS-214), a Gato class submarine, built by the Electric Boat Co., Groton, Connecticut.  Captain Wahlig’s home base for his 6 combat patrols was Pearl Harbor, staying on Grouper until May 1, 1945.  After the war, Wahlig was attached to the staff of Submarine Squadron 12, and in January of 1946, took command of the USS Carter Hall (LDS-3), an Ashland dock landing ship, operating with the 7th Fleet.  He spent some time shortly after as an instructor at the Naval Academy, as a steam professor, and received assignment to the USS Bexar (APA-237), an attack transport as the executive officer.  Several other commands followed, and he retired in 1962.

The cap by Bancroft, has rattan construction and I would date from early to the mid 50’s.  The white cover is cotton, and rather clean for its age. The cap insignia is hallmarked “VIKING / STERLING.”  The “scrambled egg” bullion oak leaves and acorns are in fine shape with only a bit of toning applied to black felt visor,  There is some roughness to the leather on the sweatband, where it is marked, “Bancroft’s / ZEPHYR.”  Approximate size 6 7/8- 7.

Overall in fine condition with good history

USS MACKEREL (SS-204)

USS GROUPER SS-214