United States. Silver, 180mm (length of chain) x 17.5mm (width of plate), obverse engraved RUSSELL I. LOWE / U.S.N and reverse engraved 665-16-37 / T-1-43 / B-U.S.N.R and stamped STERLING, surface wear, chain slightly tainted, extremely fine condition.
Accompanied by photocopies of research and documentation relating to service.
Footnote: Russell Irvin Lowe was born on August 3, 1905, in Ottumwa, Iowa. He served in the 113th Cavalry of the National Guard for 14 months (May 1922-July 1923) prior to enlisting for the United States Naval Service on September 16, 1942, at the age of 37. At the time of his enlistment, his records state that he was married at the time to Erma Marie Lowe, was employed as a blacksmith and had numerous tattoos including female figures, a dragon, a peacock, a bluebird and snake. He had been previously arrested for driving while intoxicated in 1940. He began as a metalsmith in the blacksmith building in Seattle, Washington. Due to a lack of facilities at a Construction Training Center, he was placed on inactive duty until November 21. By the 26th, he was transferred to the NOB, Norva, and again to Station Complement, Camp Peary in Williamsburg, Virginia on December 30, 1942. On August 14, 1943, Lowe was transferred back to the 100th Naval Construction Battalion and was demoted from Chief Shipfitter to Shipfitter first class by reason of court-martial. He was charged with being AWOL for 8 hours, telling falsehoods, disobeying commands, being insolent, and drunkenness. He was sentenced to lose $25 per month for the next 4 months. However, this did not deter Lowe from his disobedient behaviour. He was placed on Deck Court on October 26, 1943, for being AWOL for a period of 1 day and 15 minutes. Again, he was financially penalized, being sentenced to lose $15 per month for the following 2 months. On December 16 of the same year, Low was charged with negligence of duty and was fined to pay $40 per month for the next 2 months. In April of 1944, he was charged with drunk and disorderly conduct, however, his sentence to pay a total of $60 was remitted.
On May 5, 1944, he was transferred to the 12th Naval District, San Francisco to be discharged from the Naval Service. He was dismissed from service with an indifferent discharge for the reason of ineptitude. The Article D-9111 pertaining to his discharge states that he “is a confirmed inebriate, and he does not confine his taste to the more ordinary types of intoxicants. He has an equal liking for such items as hair tonic, shaving lotions and raw alcohol, which have a tendency to produce temporary insanity rather than ordinary intoxicants.”