I find it odd that from what I have read the 3rd pattern, like my father's knife, was the least favored hilt design because of grip slippage when wet yet it is depicted on the the emblems above. I assume that is because the ring hilt is much more defined and easier to reproduce in art. I really am not planning on using this as a dirk as I have no occasion to wear one.

Dale, my dad spent 3 months on Okinawa. He was then transfered off after a cut became infected and was give a clerk job. CO liked him so much he was never sent back. He was offered a Purple Heart but refused because he said all he did was scrape his leg while his buddies were being shot or killed in battle.