Interesting cap made by a rescued German U-Boot crew member.
During WWII, an aircraft from the USS Block Island, a Bogue-class escort carrier, sunk several u-boats. After sinking one of these u-boats, the ship rescued the crew. One of the captured German sailors named "Kurt" made one of more overseas caps - using white canvas - to give to the USS Block Islands crew members.
One side of the cap has a drawing of an U-Boot and the name "Kurt". The other has following text: "Zum Andenken an eine gerettete U-Bootsbesatzung" (In remembrance of a rescued U-Boat crew). He also wrote "USS Block Island".
This particular side cap was given to Coxswain George Rydzewski from Newark, New Jersey. Part of this offer is a handwritten paper of him. He mailed the cap home after receiving it. Ironically, the USS Block Island was sunk by the German submarine U-549 on 29.5.1944. The carrier lost six men in the attack and 951, including George Rydzewski, were picked by by US escort ships.
