Original U.S. WWII 77th Infantry Division Captured & Painted Travel Diary Japanese Last Ditch Type 92 Helmet of Silver Star Recipient Chester B. Opdyke

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding Japanese WWII Late War “Last Ditch” Type 92 Army combat helmet captured and used as a travel diary by American Staff Sergeant Chester Barbour Opdyke, Company H, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, who was awarded the Silver Star Medal for Gallantry in action during the war. His citation reads:

“For Gallantry in action on the island of Guam, M.I., where he served as squad leader. In the vicinity of Darrigada, Aug. 2, 1944, while commanding the point of the advanced guard, Sergeant Opdyke detected concealed and camouflaged enemy positions. He halted the point and began searching the area. In doing so, he discovered enemy machine gun and sniper fire. Under this fire, with no cover available, and after he himself was seriously wounded, Sergeant Opdyke directed his squad to engage the enemy. He remained in this exposed position, under heavy enemy fire, directing his own squad’s fire and supervising the evacuation of his wounded before allowing himself to be moved. By his alertness and gallantry, Sergeant Opdyke saved his own squad and prevented troops he was preceding from being surprised.”

Opdyke was also awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received on the same day.  This outstanding painted helmet shows the large painted Statue of Liberty insignia of the 77th Infantry Division at the front, with the unit information above and below it. On the left side is the name S/Sgt. Opdyke. The rest of the inscriptions are a travel diary, with Opdyke having painted the names of the battles and locations he visited. 

Some of the locations include Camp Upton, Yaphank, New York, Leyte, Ormoe, Cogon Hill, The Yamashita Line, Ryukyus, Yakabi Shima, Kerama Isl., The Shuri Line, Chocolate Drop Hill, Hacksaw Ridge, Flat Top Hill, Ishimmi Ridge, Mount Santa Rosa, Battle of Barrigada, Guam, Agat Beachhead, The Forced March, and USS Henrico APA-45 which has a cross painted next to it. 

The helmet has five Japanese Kanji characters painted to one side which are painted under the American inscriptions and may be a name or Japanese unit. An interesting research project though the characters are now very worn. The helmet’s paint is very heavily worn and the crown shows heavy denting.

The liner and chinstrap are entirely absent, but the three D-rings are still retained. 

This is an outstanding 77th ID Captured helmet identified to a Silver Star recipient who saved the lives of his squad! Ready for further research and display!