Major Eveland's M-1 "Fixed Bale" Helmet
Major Eveland’s M-1 Helmet is painted a dark olive drab and has the normal rough texture created by adding cork to the paint. The rim is made of stainless steel and is spot welded to the helmet at the front. The shell interior has been post-war painted a slightly different olive drab shade, probably to cover up rust and wear. McCord Radiator and Manufacturing Company made this helmet around March 1942, which gives it an early production date. The “fixed” chinstrap loops (bales) are still present as is the original cotton chinstrap.
The interior has the standard high-pressure plastic liner made during the
WWII period by the Westinghouse Electric Company. The suspension system is made out of olive drab shade no. 3 Herringbone twill cotton and attached by green-painted “A” washers (early 1943 to mid-1944). A leather adjustable bar buckle headband and American Stay manufactured neckband are present. The liner contains no chinstrap, but the garter studs and one chinstrap holder are still intact. The exterior of the liner is painted olive drab and has a hand-painted Major’s insignia just above a piece of surgical tape with the name “EVELAND” in all capital black letters.
Historical Context
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Lt. Col. William Albert Eveland
Born on January 21, 1901, in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, William Albert Eveland rose from the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1930 to Lieutenant Colonel during the Vietnam War. At the time he wore this helmet during World War II, Eveland held the rank of Major and was director of the Administrative Division at Fort Brady in Michigan, but records show he transferred from that position in February 1943. It is uncertain of Eveland’s further service in
WWII, but he continued his military career reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and served with the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. Lt. Col. Eveland died on April 5, 1976, and is buried along with his wife at the San Francisco National Cemetery.
