The US military saw the success of German paratroopers in 1940, and quickly set about creating its own elite airborne units. US paratroopers jumped on Sicily in Operation Husky in 1943, and dropped into Normandy during the D-Day invasion in 1944. Those "devils in baggy pants" often used the lensatic compass to rally from their drop zones to rendezvous points. The earliest lensatic compasses were produced by W. & L.E. Gurley of Troy, NY, and any surviving examples remain scarce today. This US Army WW2 D-DAY PARATROOPER AIRBORNE GURLEY MADE LENSATIC COMPASS is in very good condition, with some scratching and surface chipping at front, some scattered scratching and surface chipping at back, the name "HICKEY" scratched into the underside of the lid, and with some scattered age wear evident (ALL pictured). Otherwise, the compass is in fine shape, with absolutely no cracking or other damage to the tough metal construction, which retains approximately 75% of the original black finish. Most interestingly, it remains fully functional, with the direction dial moving smoothly and easily once released by the locking retention arm. It's stamped on the dial with its maker, the famous "W. & L.E. GURLEY / TROY, N.Y., U.S.A.", boasts a fully intact brass hanging ring at the right side, and is a fine example of a rare, original US Army WW2 D-DAY PARATROOPER AIRBORNE GURLEY MADE LENSATIC COMPASS. No carry pouch included. Now celebrating over 15 years on eBay. Bid with confidence and please view our other great military and aviation classics, including a very rare, original US Army AAF WW2 14TH AIR FORCE FLYING TIGERS PILOT EARLY CHINESE FLAG BLOOD CHIT in fair condition, bearing the classic large Nationalist Chinese flag at the upper front, and carrying the familiar red "chop" mark and low serial number "W 3546" at the lower right front.

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