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Mae West - Vest

maewest
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Description: This Mark 1 life vest, popularly known as a Mae West because when inflated it gave the wearer a buxom appearance, belonged to Marine aviator Eldon E. Ballard. He expressed pride in his service as a flying leatherneck, using his life vest as a canvas for drawing the SBD Dauntless dive-bomber he flew and the ubiquitous symbol of the Marine Corps, a bulldog, wearing a pilot's helmet.
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  • Aviation
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  • Photograph
Wars & Conflicts
Navy Communities
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