WW2 Japanese Naval Landing Force Officer’s Sun Helmet

This is a very rare WW2 Japanese Naval Landing Force Sun Helmet in nice condition. We see these very seldom.

Sun helmets were worn mostly by commissioned officers in the Naval Landing Force.

However, photographic evidence also shows Petty Officers & lower enlisted ranks wearing these individually and by several members in small units. In the case of photos of enlisted sailors wearing these, we have seen entire units wearing sun helmets. These photos were taken in China where there were likely lower cost locally made vs the Japanese made sun helmets like this one. It is also possible they were purchased with unit funds.

This particular sun helmet, like most of the era, is made of cork with a khaki cotton cover and adjustable chin strap.

It has an official issue, stamped, split prong, Navy officer’s helmet badge on the front.

These sold during the war for about 8 yen.  In 1940/41, 8 yen was about $1.87 USD.

Compare 8 Yen to the average monthly pay of a seaman in the Japanese Navy, which was about 8 or 9 yen. An Ensign earned about 20.5 yen. This would have been unaffordable to most enlisted and lower ranking officers.  Few sailors would spend an entire month’s pay on this luxury item. Some might save or use lay-away, or perhaps two sailors would pitch in and share it. Officers were given a uniform stipend so it would have been more affordable for an Ensign, LTjg or Lt.

This is most likely a sun helmet which was sold at Naval clothing supply stores located on base, off base or by mail order.

Like much commercially made headgear and uniforms available to military personnel in Japan before the attack on Pearl Harbor, English language labels were common.  These were thought to add value to the product, as here. This maker included the Imperial Japanese rising sun in their logo.

It should be noted that the Japanese Army had an issue sun helmets made of lower cost bamboo and cloth.  These Army issue helmets were worn by all ranks.

Sun helmets saw extensive use in SE Asia, Southern China and across the Pacific, just like this sun helmet would have seen.