Saturday, June 23, 2012

Mystery Dolphins Sighted

While perusing the display cases of a Airborne Jumpwings from around the world at a military show, I casually asked if the dealer had any Dolphins?  Usually, you may find a pair of Silver Dolphins tucked in between the parachute wings.  On this occasion, he did have a pair of newer dolphins that were priced higher than the NEX so I figured I'd move on to the next table when he asked me a question that left me scratching my head.

"Have you ever seen any Marine Corps Dolphins?"

I laughed and said sure, right next to the bush pilot wings & DBF mermaids.  No, he insisted, USMC Submarine Badges.  He said he had run across a set of Dolphins and when he looked closer at them he noticed the had the Eagle, Globe & Anchor (EGA) displayed in the middle.  He promised to send me some photos for the blog.  Where did these mystery dolphins come from?

 WARNING: THEORIES
During the BIG ONE (WWII), a number of downed Naval Aviators were fished out of the pacific by Fleet Boats while on Lifeguard duty or in transit of War Patrols.  (You may recall one fellow went on to become President.)
Reverse of badge shows manufacturer's marks.  EGA really shows up as an "add on" from this view.  Can any Dolphin Experts shed some insight on these?

Some of these Aviators were of the embarked Marine variety.  Once aboard the subs, Aviators were not allowed to become Wardroom Cushion Testers or rack hounds, they were put to work as Assistant Officers of the Deck, Look Outs or any other needed task.

Could these Dolphins have been "created" outside of the chain of command by some of the Submerged Marines and given as gifts and passed around the fleet.  I have never heard of this happening before and would love to hear the story first hand from some of the Sub Fleet's Marines.

THEORY #2
I have also heard tales of Marine Raiders being embarked on Submarines for special missions so I suppose it is possible for there to be some silver Marine Dolphins in existence too.

Any number of special order patches were made in the P.I. and I even have one of the belt buckles so I guess some Marines went rogue and made there own damn Dolphins.  Can't be any worse than giving the regulation ones away to Midshipman for a two week cruise.