Dog tag and can opener used by Spc. James E. Brown II during the Vietnam War

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A silver metal dog tag and P38 can opener, attached by bead chain, used by Spc. James E. Brown II (Delta Company, 31st Combat Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade) during the Vietnam War. The dog tag is a rectangular shape with rounded ends, and letters stamped deeply into the metal. The tag is bent slightly towards one end. There are small dents and scratches throughout, and signs of wear around the suspension hole. The stamped letters read "BROWN/JAMES E/[social security number]/OPOS/BAPTIST." Also attached to the bead chain by a shorter bead loop is a P38 can opener. Inscribed on one side is "U.S./MALLIN/SHELBY.O." The can opener is roughly rectangular in shape, with a hole on one corner for the suspension chain. There is a raised metal groove running down the length of the rectangle. One side has a small sharp half-moon indentation cut out of the edge.

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