I have an interest in WWII utility knives. I consider them fine pieces of cutlery for what they were designed, they come from an historic period that I find fascinating, and on occasion you can find one with a story to go with it. It is just a run of the mill Western fixed blade, but this one tells a story of survival of close calls... Francis Guy Tull (Fc 2/c) U.S.N. Born 3 Sept. 1920 in Dewy, Ok. Died 16 May 2000 in Poulsbo, Washington Mr. Tull enlisted USN 5/27/1941, seven months before Pearl Harbor. Mr. Tull Served on the USS Pennsylvania from August ‘41 until 1943. The Pennsylvania was in dry dock when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. The ship fought the Japanese planes claiming five planes downed (later reduced to two) The Pennsylvania suffered light damage, being saved from torpedoes in the dry dock. Tull was transferred to the USS Cooper, DD695 on 28 March 1944. On Dec. 3, ‘44 The Cooper was on patrol in Ormoc Bay, Philippines, when the ship torpedoed by the Japanese ship Take, broke in half and sunk in less than one minute. 191 sailors died 168 were rescued by Black Cat airplanes. (Catalina planes of (VPB) 34 flying from the seaplane tender Orca (AVP-49)) after about 14 hours in the water. After the Cooper, Tull served on the USS Houston CL-81. On October 14, the Houston was hit by a Japanese torpedo bomber, off of Formosa, and was disabled, on the 16th she was hit with a second torpedo while under tow. The crew saved the ship and it returned to the US for repairs. I suspect that the survivors of the Cooper ended up at at the large Navy base at Milne Bay, (New Guinea) and that Mr. Tull acquired this knife at that time. Just speculation of course. Video Documentary about the Cooper: Return To Ormoc Bay
I've got a couple knifes I'll never part with. My grandfather's 1920's era 'coffin' knife, Uncles Robinson survival knife he carried while flying in WW2 and a Benchmade from a good friend who carried it while serving in Iraq. I've been more than fortunate.
Many times a knife is a much more personal tool than a firearm. I have had a knife in my pocket since I was a small child. There haven't been many days in my life that I have not used a knife for something. You get attached to the old chunks of steel. Post of a pic of your Robinson if it is convenient. The Sure Edge is one missing from my humble collection; but I am working on that!
I've had a folding knife since before I was allowed to have a folding knife. Still have the sheath knife my mom's sisters husband (good ol' Uncle Bill! ), gave me with I was eight years old. Not sure how long Merle had this but do know he cleaned a couple deer with it in Michigan after the war.
