WW2 US USN Navy Blue Mae West Dated 1944

The WW2 US USN Navy Blue Mae West Dated 1944 is a personal flotation device used by United States Navy personnel during the Second World War. Commonly referred to as a “Mae West” after the Hollywood actress, this life preserver was standard issue for aviators and sailors. Constructed from durable blue cotton canvas, the vest features built-in flotation chambers designed to be inflated orally or via CO2 cartridges. Adjustable straps secure the vest to the wearer, providing buoyancy in emergency situations over water. The item is typically marked with USN insignia and often includes manufacturer stamps with date of issue; this example is dated 1944. The blue coloration distinguishes it from the yellow versions used by the US Army Air Forces. This vest represents a critical advancement in personal safety equipment developed during the war, reflecting both the technological and logistical responses to the demands of naval aviation and seaborne operations during this period.