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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Alligator Desk Piece
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Alligator Desk Piece

Object numberMO 1944.136.10
Name Paperweight
Maker
Date1944
Mediumalligator, wood, brass
Dimensionsoverall H 11 3/4 in x W 7 1/2 in x D 10 1/2 in (29.8 cm x 19.1 cm x 26.7 cm )
DescriptionA small taxidermied alligator mounted upright on a round wood base. An inscribed brass plate attached to the base reads: To the President of the United States / Franklin D. Roosevelt / from / The Amphibious Force U.S.N. / Landing Craft Pier 42 N.Y.C. / Lt. Comdr. Thomas W. Walsh U.S.N.R. / Officer in Charge / May 26, 1944.
Label TextThis unusual desk piece was sent to President Roosevelt on May 26, 1944, by U.S. Naval Reserve Lieutenant Commander Thomas W. Walsh. Walsh was the leader of a Navy amphibious warfare unit. The desk piece commemorated the launch of a group of LSM (Landing Ship Medium) amphibious assault ships at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Similar in size to the LST, the LSM could land multiple tanks, jeeps, and other vehicles directly onto an invasion beach.

Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesUnited States Navy Materials (National Archives Identifier 782673)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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