BigWaveDave
Gold Member
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Congrats on that unique find. That will display nicely if yo decide to keep it.
This was turned up by my new Research Department .
In 1942 the U.S. Army dispatched a detachment of W.A.C.
personnel to an area around the Florida Everglades. Each W.A.C. member was trained and issued a club that resembled a bowling pin. There was a need to conserve ammunition as we were at war. (WW II). There was also a problem with the local Gator population. Gators would wonder into the base and pose a threat to the base personnel as well as the local population.
This specially trained and equipped unit was charged with intercepting the Gators and clubbing them until they backed off or were killed. They became known as the "Bowling Pin Unit" and we're awarded the above medal once it was documented that a member had successfully turned away or killed 10 gators. The award was known
That is so funnySo I read your post to my wife...and she's all "wow!!! that's great honey!!" God I love her.
Think I read about this somewhere.. Gator-Nam.This was turned up by my new Research Department .
In 1942 the U.S. Army dispatched a detachment of W.A.C.personnel to an area around the Florida Everglades. Each W.A.C. member was trained and issued a club that resembled a bowling pin. There was a need to conserve ammunition as we were at war. (WW II). There was also a problem with the local Gator population. Gators would wonder into the base and pose a threat to the base personnel as well as the local population.
This specially trained and equipped unit was charged with intercepting the Gators and clubbing them until they backed off or were killed. They became known as the "Bowling Pin Unit" and were awarded the above medal once it was documented that a member had successfully turned away or killed 10 gators. The award was known as "The Gator Bowling Pin Award"
Sweet oddball find, Dave!Thought it was a military medal... but the alligator made me go whaaaaaat?
Cleaned it up, and a bit of research, and now I know..
Women's International Bowling Congress
1956 Miami Florida Tournament
Saw one on the Ebay for $35.......sweet!
View attachment 1234077
Thanks for looking!