Collections record Beta

Collection Record Detail

Object Name

Military Pouch

Object Number

2017-19-50

Description

Khaki cotton canvas pouch, World War II era. Cover has canvas strap that slides into a loop on the front of the pouch. Three interior compartments. Stenciled lettering on back, in black ink, "CONTAINING/OS34000/OS34034/C.B.I/1945."

Provenance

Oswald W. Marrin Jr. (1919-2007) was born in New York City before moving to Litchfield. Graduating from Brown University in 1942, Marrin joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and attended Officer's Class in Quantico, VA. He served as platoon commander and eventually executive officer of K Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. In his company was Charles R. Hickox, Jr., also of Litchfield. Marrin served in the battles of Guadalcanal, Gloucester, and Peleliu. Discharged as a major in 1946, he returned to Litchfield and ran the Marrin Real Estate Company.

Comment

During World War II, C.B.I. or CBI was often a designation for the China Burma India Theater. Given Marrin's status as the executive officer of a Company, he would likely have been issued maps and intelligence documents pertaining to combat missions. It is possible that this pouch contained such documents.