This knife belonged to Commander William O. Walker, USN, who was one of the Commanders of the USS Lake Champlain (Champ) which has a long history herself. One of her many assignments was that she was selected as the Prime Recovery Ship of the Project Mercury Mission, the first manned Space Flight for America. Commander Walker was also an aviator, naval bomber and later in life became a Grand High Priest of the York Rite, Grand Chapter Royal Arch Mason Knights Templar, he was also a dear friend. His name "WO" and "Walker" are hand scribed on the sheath.

The knife is a Military Issue "Blue Blade" made by Western Cutlery of Boulder, Colo Patent No. 1,967,479 (note photo)this tang stamp dates this knife to c1935-1950.
It measures 10.25" total length, has stacked leather handle, full tang, arched pommel, and a wide blood grove. The original leather sheath has some wear with some missing stitches and a small blade cut on top of sheath opening, which I am told is quite common. Overall on great shape with a lot of the blue hue on the blade. These knives are becoming more rare and are a great addition for the military memorabilia collector.

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Militaria