The PT Boat Forum
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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?cid=101&fct=showf

ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboard.cgi?fct=gotoforum&cid=101&fid=102

ť Topic: Suspected PT 109 Life Ring
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=5348

Hello,
I am new to this forum, I came across it while trying to research information on an item I recently obtained. It is a life ring marked PT 109 on one side and PT 159 on the other side. Initially the two different boat designations threw me off until I discovered that a lot of items were shared and repurposed at that time. It appears that both PT 109 and PT 159 were in the same squadron and deployed to the same area in the Solomon Islands. This would explain why this life ring was painted a green color. Not sure if this an authentic real item or not, was hoping you guys could help me out.

I was given this life ring and a few other items by a friend of mine who was cleaning out his grandfathers storage unit who had passed away. His grandfather served in the Navy during WWII and had brought back a bunch of items that he eventually hung up on his walls for his home bar. I am attempting to get more information on the grandfather, his deployed locations and what ship he was assigned to.

Any information is greatly appreciated, thank you!

Posted By: VXI2020 | Posted on: Jul 21, 2024 - 1:28pm
Total Posts: 3 | Joined: Jul 21, 2024 - 1:21pm

It is possible that what you have here is a prop for the movie PT-109. The reverse says PT-159 which was one of the boats made to look like her in the movie. I have enclosed a color still from the 109 movie boat for you to see, although what you have and the photo differ a bit in the lettering. Not to say the prop department didn't make more then one of these life rings. Some homework on your part would be to track how this came into your grandfathers possessions and the person that had it. You never know he may have worked on the 1963 film.

Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: Jul 24, 2024 - 5:47am
Total Posts: 3547 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am

Thank you for this information. It does like similar but not the same, however like you said,, could be another piece from the movie set.
I will continue to try and get some more information on whether he had any involvement in that film.

Posted By: VXI2020 | Posted on: Jul 28, 2024 - 1:40pm
Total Posts: 3 | Joined: Jul 21, 2024 - 1:21pm

Here are a few pics taken on the movie set in Florida. One photo shows the mock up has 2 life rings. Jerry

Jerry Gilmartin
PT658 Crewman
Portland OR

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Aug 16, 2024 - 1:23am
Total Posts: 1498 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm