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WORLD WAR TWO / KOREA UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS OFFICER’S MAMALUKE SWORD

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The drawn sword meas. approx. 36.00 inches long.

The blade itself meas. approx. 31.00 inches long x 0.75 of an inch wide at the ricasso. It has a central fuller that starts just above the ricasso and runs for approx. 27.00 inches. The blade surface is bright and clean with light surface rust on the very tip of the point. Edge is free of nicks. Both sides of the blade are etched with scrollwork, flags and the eagle, globe and anchor on a shield and a riband that reads “UNITED STATES MARINES.” The reverse side of the blade is also etched with the name of the owner “H. F. BUSS.”

Hilt has an ivory grip with one small crack in the pommel area, and a small chip near the guard otherwise it has aged nicely and has an attractive finish. Ivory grips are held to the hilt by two brass tacks, two on each side, and each has a five-pointed star on the face. Brass guard is the usual star shape with acorn quillons and has a nice patina. Leather knot is present and in good condition.

Plated metal scabbard is bright and free of dents. Both ring mounts are made of brass and decorated with laurel leaves. Both brass rings are present. Brass drag is decorated with a floral design at bottom.

The owner of this sword served in the Marine Corps for 23 years, first as an enlisted man and later as an officer.

Herbert Franklin Buss was born in Easton, Pennsylvania on February 14, 1920.

After his graduation from Easton Area High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps on March 16, 1939. After his boot camp training at Parris Island, South Carolina he was sent to the Marine Barracks at Quantico, Virginia and from there he was sent to the Naval Operating Station at Norfolk, Virginia and assigned to duties in the quartermaster department. By October 1941 Buss had risen to Sergeant and was serving with Headquarters Company, Atlantic Fleet Amphibious Force at Quantico, Virginia.

On May 20, 1942 Buss was assigned to Headquarters of the 1^st Marine Division and was with them through the invasion of Guadalcanal in August of 1942 and remained on shore through the early battles for the island. On the following November 16^th Buss was assigned to the USS BELLATRIX (AKA-3) and while aboard her made several trips hauling supplies to Guadalcanal.

On January 19, 1943 Buss, now a staff-sergeant, was transferred to the USS JOHN PENN (APA-23.) While on this ship he took part in the recue of survivors from the USS CHICAGO (CA-29) which was sunk off Guadalcanal on January 29, 1943. All told the JOHN PENN rescued 1,066 men and brought them to Noumea. The rest of Buss time on the JOHN PENN was spent running supplies to Guadalcanal from the New Hebrides, Fijis and New Zealand. Buss left the USS JOHN PENN on July 5, 1943 at New Caledonia. A little over a month later the ship was hit by Japanese torpedo planes and sunk with only 35 survivors.

On the island of New Caledonia, Buss became part of the transient center there where he remained until September 4, 1944 when he boarded the USS GEN. H. L. SCOTT and sailed to San Francisco where he became a casual awaiting assignment. His rank was now quartermaster sergeant.

Buss was next assigned to the Service Detachment, Post Service Battalion at Quantico, Virginia where he remained till the end of the war.

During the post-war years Buss served at various Marine bases such as the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the Marine Corps Supply Depot in Philadelphia and Marine Barracks at Newport, Rhode Island and rising to the rank of master-sergeant.

During the Korean War Buss was assigned to the Supply Company, Forwarding Depot, Portsmouth, Virginia and it was here that he received his commission to 2^nd lieutenant in April of 1952. After the Korean War he continued serving in the Marine Corps and rising to 1^st lieutenant before his retirement in 1962.

Mr. Buss died in Northampton, Pennsylvania on December 29, 1978 and is buried in Northampton Memorial Shrine. [ad] [ph:L]

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