"E" Pennants-- Part 1: A Very High Honor

From Wikipedia  "Army-Navy 'E' Award

The Turner Brass Works Company in Sycamore, Illinois, was very proud to receive an "E" Pennant during World War II, as mentioned two posts ago.

Well, what was an "E" Pennant?

It was officially called the Army-Navy "E" Award.  It was honor  presented to companies during World War II "Excellence in Production" ("E") of war equipment.  It was also known as the Army-Navy Production Award.  By war's end, only some 5% of  the more than 85,000 companies producing  materials for the U.S. war effort had received one, so it was quite an honor for Turner Brass Works.

--GreGen

Turner Brass Works, Sycamore, Illinois

From the Made in Chicago Museum   "Turner Brass Works Est. 1871.

In a 1925 article in Sycamore's True Republican newspaper, put it:  "The world's largest exclusive manufacturer of blow torches, fire pots and braziers carry the name Sycamore to every corner of the globe and thus does the lion's share in advertising  its home city."

The company was originally in Chicago until 1907, when it moved to Sycamore, Illinois.   Especially known for their blow torches of which they were one of the biggest makers.

From 1890s to 1990s "when it closed via wrecking ball."

Vintage  Blow Torches site says:  The Turner Brass Works  originally made harness and saddle fittings, as well as components for bicycles.  By the 1890s , Turner was making blowtorches and its merger with another Chicago torch maker, the White Mfg.  Co., led to Turner becoming the largest of all the blowtorch makers.

--GreGen

Turner Brass Works Gets the "E" Pennant

From the December 5, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1943, 75 Years Ago.

"In his speech of presentation of the 'E' pennant to the Turner Brass Works in appropriate ceremonies at 3:30 o'clock this afternoon, Major James A. McBride, Sr., told the audience of nearly 1,000  workers and guests there were two great forces engaged in winning the war.

"One is the fighting force, and the other is the production force.  Each is dependent on the other and our success here insures their success there."

Turner Brass Works was located in Sycamore, Illinois.

Production Matters Too.  --GreGen