This is an Engine Order Telegraph (or E.O.T.) from the bridge of the Destroyer USS McKee (DD-575). Often referred to as a chadburn, the E.O.T. is a communications device used by the ships pilot on the bridge to order engineers in the engine room to increase or decrease power the vessel at a certain desired speed. This E.O.T. measures 44" high with two glass front dials. One dial is for the port engine, the other for the starboard engine with each having a separate knob for changing the indicator pointer on the face of the dial and a bell signal switch. The face of each dial has engine speed markings and "BENDIX", the manufacturer of this E.O.T. with the original brass data plate still attached to the front of the stand. The USS McKee was a 2000-ton Fletcher class destroyer built at Orange, Texas and commissioned on March 1943. The McKee shot down two Japanese aircraft while supporting the invasion of Bougainville and would go one to participate in the assault on Tarawa in November, the landings on Kwajalein in late January and early February 1944, and in March and April participated in the bombardment of Kavieng, New Ireland, and the Hollandia operation on the north shore of New Guinea. Shelling Japanese positions, the U.S.S. McKee next supported the invasion of Guam during July and early August 1944 and in September and October took part in landings on Morotai and Leyte. McKee escorted Task Force 58's aircraft carriers striking Iwo Jima and the Japanese home islands in February and March 1945 and was heavily engaged fighting off enemy suicide attack planes off Okinawa in April. The destroyer took part in raids on Japan in June, July and August. The McKee was decommissioned in February 1945 and was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register at the beginning of October 1972 and sold for scrapping in early 1974. A photo of the USS McKee is included.

Excellent. The E.O.T. retains 98% of the gray paint with some minor edge flaking. The glass front on the dials show no noticeable damage with all the markings clear and sharp. Truly a unique piece of U.S. Navy equipment from World War II.