USMC Marine US WW2 Hospital Corpsman Bolo \"BOYT 43\" Leather Scabbard Vtg Sheath For Sale

Item: USMC Marine US WW2 Hospital Corpsman Bolo \"BOYT 43\" Leather Scabbard

Markings:\"U.S. / BOYT / 43\" stamped at the upper back, denoting manufacture by the famous Boyt in 1943.

Condition:This scabbard is in Very Good Condition. Some \"sinking in\" to the leather body where it meets the brass throat at front and back. Some scattered wrinkling, scratching, and soiling to the tough dark brown leather construction. Classic brass tie down grommet at the end tip, brass reinforced throat, and fully intact metal wire hanger at the upper back. No bolo included.

Historical Background:\"Corpsmen were probably more highly respected by Marines-as a group, and as individuals-than any other people we were involved with.\"

-Eugene Sledge of K/3/5, 1st Marine Division, from his excellent first hand account \"With the Old Breed at Peleliu and Okinawa\".

US Navy corpsmen of WW2, universally referred to as \"Doc\", went ashore with the Marines to render battlefield first aid to wounded Leathernecks. As the Marines fought to capture islands, corpsmen remained with their units in the field throughout the campaign, treating jungle rot, malaria, heat prostration, and other tropical maladies. Most importantly, corpsmen stabilized casualties until they could be evacuated to hospital ships offshore. This was often done under murderous enemy fire, for the Japanese were no respecters of the Geneva Convention. Corpsmen were issued the classic USMC hospital corps bolo, which featured a round tipped blade to cut tree branches for splints and litters. Although intended as a medical tool, the hospital corps bolo could also be used as a last resort weapon.We have shown a photo of US Marines preparing to land on Iwo Jima; both wear similar hospital corps bolo scabbards on their packs.

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