WWII BOOM BOOM GIRL TRIUMPH EXPLOSIVES Screwback Pin

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You Are Bidding On: A World War 2, 1945 Army Navy E Award for Contribution To Victory . Awarded to the BOOM BOOM GIRLS and all of the employees of TRIUMPH EXPLOSIVES INCORPORATED of Elkton Maryland who were employed at Triumph at the time the award was issued. The pin is hallmarked with AE CO Utica N,Y . inside of a triangle shape, which is a hallmark of American Emblem Company The fastener is a screwback. The pin is oval shaped about 1 inch tall by about 3/4 of an inch wide, made of brass, enameled in Red White & Blue. And says: E For Production , United States Navy , Bureau Of Ordanance , TRIUMPH EXPLOSIVES INC ------------------------------------------------------------------ From an archived letter I found dated 2 February 1945, tells of this award pin. From: Department Of The Navy Office Of The Secretary Washington 2 February 1945 To: Mr. B.F. Pepper, President Triumph Explosives, Incorporated Elkton, Maryland Dear Mr. Pepper: It is with pleasure that I inform you and the employees of Triumph Explosives, Incorporated that the Army and Navy have granted your plant the Army-Navy "E" Award for outstanding production of war materials. This award consists of a flag to be flown above your plant, and a lapel pin which every individual in your plant may wear as a symbol of great contribution to victory. The record of Triumph Explosives, Incorporated is inspiring and all of you have good reason for pride in your accomplishment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The BOOM BOOM Girls risked their lives to supply our country with ammunition. Many of these girls came from West Virginia & Pennsylvania to work for Triumph. One of the main products was 40mm Shells to feed the countless twin anti-aircraft cannons on ships of the U.S. Navy and its Allies. Each shell contained about 10.7 ounces of powder for propellant and a projectile that weighed about 2 pounds. The practical rate of fire was 80 to 90 rounds per gun per minute . Naval vessels of all sizes bristled with pairs of these semi-automatic anti-aircraft weapons with insatiable appetites for ammunition. Before the War, in June 1935, t was an explosion that killed two workers. In October 1937, a man died in an explosion at the plant. Another article said four women injured in an explosion at the Triumph plant. September 5, 1942 reported one death and three workers badly injured in an explosion at Triumph . On February 20, 1943, a headline read âeoeSeveral Workers Badly Injured at Triumph Plant.âe A newspaper on September 4, 1943, reported that a young man was killed in an explosion. May 8, 1943, a front page headline said: âeoeFIFTEEN KILLED; MANY INJURED BY EXPLOSION---FIRE.âe A sub-headline read, âeoeOccurred at the Plant of Triumph âe This was followed by an article on May 14, 1943, reporting âeoeTwo More Victims Of Explosion Identified.âe Please see both photos below for a detailed view . Click the link for Larger Pictures above the main photo to view the supersize images . This is a REAL NO RESERVE AUCTION ! Going to the highest bidder regardless of price! We respectfully honor ALL bids! Starting at only 99 cents Shipping is $2.00 We ship safely ! We never just drop 'em in an envelope! Thanks for shopping with jessesdoghouse !We ship to locations in the UNITED STATES ONLY! read more

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