Item Description
Original Grouping. One-of-a-Kind. This is the phenomenal Pearl Harbor Attack, December 7, 1941 grouping of Navy Commander Lucian Willis Bugbee Jr., who served aboard the USS Vestel as Chief Engineer when the vessel was bombed during the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The centerpiece of the grouping is a small piece of shrapnel kept by Bugbee which is engraved Jap Bomb Fragment USS Vestal Dec 7 1941. Also included are Bugbee’s framed medals, a framed photograph of him with the crew of the Vestel, and his Naval Officer’s sword.
This grouping was recently acquired following the closure of a long-running private museum, which consisted of a collection of artifacts which started to be obtained in 1942. This grouping was acquired by the museum within the last 20 years and was on display until the museum was deaccessioned.
The grouping includes:
- Piece of Shrapnel in a small 2⅝ x 2 x 1⅜” dovetailed box. Shrapnel is engraved Jap Bomb Fragment USS Vestal Dec 7 1941.
- Bugbee’s US Navy Identification card from when he served aboard the USS Vestal.
- Bugbee’s Dog Tags from World War II, with his rank as Lt. Commander. Both tags still on original cord.
- Bugbee’s original WWII Model 1852 Navy Officer’s Sword with its scabbard and portepee. The sword is in fair condition with the scabbard’s leather having become heavily worn and crazed. The grip is rayskin and the portepee is in good shape overall. There is a museum tag naming the sword to Bugbee, but the sword itself is not engraved anywhere to Bugbee.
- Bugbee’s WWII ribbon bar with the same medals as are in his frame.
- Several of Bugbee’s old ribbon bars including his Pre-WWII bar and WWII era bars.
- Frame measuring 9½ x 12½” containing Bugbee’s medals, including the Navy Commendation Medal, WWII Naval Reserve Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the WWI Victory Medal, the WWI Army of Occupation Medal, the Pacific Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, the American Campaign Medal, and the US WWII Victory Medal. The bottom of the frame has a plaque with his name, rank, and serial numbers for the Army, Marines, and Navy.
- Framed Photograph of the Officers of the USS Vestal from 1942-1944, with Bugbee seated 3rd from the right. Measures 12¾ x 12½ and has no glass.
- Bugbee’s Navy Officer’s overseas cap used when he was a Lieutenant Commander, with US Navy and Lieutenant Commander insignia. There is a photograph in the group of Bugbee wearing this cap.
- Modern printed photograph of Bugbee wearing the Navy cap in this group.
- Booklet with Commissioned Officers Mess tickets.
- Sewing Kit
- Small coin purse, empty.
- Three rounds of .45, all 1918 dated.
- Bugbee’s pocket diary.
- Various pens & pencils & a small pocket knife.
- Small bag containing much of Bugbee’s insignia including naval cap insignia, navy ranks, etc.
- Another of Bugbee’s US Navy ID cards.
- Bugbee’s 1951 Armed Forces ID card.
Here is a link to Lucian Willis Bugbee Jr.'s ancestry.com profile where one can find images of his gravestone.
Lucian Willis Bugbee Jr. was born on November 12th, 1899 in Southbridge, Massachusetts. When World War I broke out, Bugbee was enrolled at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He finished two years at MIT before enlisting in the Army, being discharged, then enlisting in the Marine Corps on June 14th, 1919. He was discharged in September, and then joined the YMCA, going overseas in November 1919 to join the American Forces in Germany. He spent several months working with the YMCA before enrolling at Oxford University in England on January 31st, 1920, specializing in Advanced Optics. He returned to the U.S. on July 3rd, 1920 to transact various business matters which had accumulated whilst he was overseas. He applied for a Passport in August 1920 in order to return to his studies at Oxford, finishing his degree around December 1921. Lucian went on to receive a Masters Degree from Purdue University in 1922. He followed his father and grandfather into optical research and designed a one-piece bifocal lens. While trying to patent his lens, Bugbee became interested in law and earned his law degree from what is now Indiana University Law School, going into practice in 1932. In 1939, Bugbee moved to Detroit and joined the firm of Barthel & Barthel, a Detroit firm specializing in patent law. When World War II broke out, Bugbee joined the U.S. Naval Reserve, becoming Chief Engineer aboard the USS Vestal, and was aboard the ship when it was attacked at Pearl Harbor. Bugbee remained aboard the Vestal throughout World War II, being awarded two Campaign stars. After the War, Bugbee established the New York Office of the Navy’s Office of Research and Invention. He retired from the Navy as a Commander. Bugbee continued to practice law for the rest of his life until he passed away on March 10th, 1980. He is well-remembered as one of the pioneers of optical research in the 20th century.
This is an absolutely stellar grouping to the Chief Engineer of the USS Vestal at Pearl Harbor, with the piece of Japanese shrapnel being the centerpiece. Comes ready for further research and display!
Naval Officer’s Sword Specifications:
Overall length: 33¼”
Blade length: 28”
Handguard: 5” wide x 5 1/2” long
Scabbard length: 29¼”
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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