A descendant of the Fairbairn-Sykes combat knife, the V-42 Stiletto was designed with input from members of the First Special Service Force, the joint American/Canadian arctic and mountain warfare unit that is considered one of the forefathers of modern American Special Forces. In February of 1943 the U.S. Navy received 70 V-42's, and they were all issued to the members of the U.S.S. Omaha's "Ship's Landing Force". These V-42 knives were issued with short U.S. Marine Corps Raider knife scabbards marked “U.S.S. Omaha” and a serial number. This was confirmed by Case Cutlery shipping records, which indicate these V-42 knives were procured by the U.S. Navy and sent to the Brooklyn Navy Depot in late 1942 and early 1943. The knives were issued in 1943 to crewmen serving in USS Omaha “Ship’s Landing Force” while the ship was off the Florida coast at the start of a South Atlantic war patrol. The 70 V-42s procured by the U.S. Navy were the only known V-42 knives sent to a unit or branch outside the First Special Service Force. Later in the war these markings was defaced to prevent identification of the individuals and the ship itself. These V-42’s were ordered thrown into the Philadelphia Harbor at the end of the war. Rather than do this, a number of these knives were retained by crew members who were unwilling to execute this order. The stiletto measures 12 3/8 inches overall with a 7 1/8 inch double edged needle point blade showing the signature serrated "thumbprint" on the ricasso above "CASE". The alloy guard is fitted with a thick leather finger pad on the underside, a ribbed leather washer grip and distinctive "skull crusher" pommel. The brown leather sheath has a struck off marking above "A-19", and the traditional Navy modifications. The dagger and scabbard can be seen on page 151 of "Heroes in Our Midst" by Ltc. John Angolia, Ret. A black box is also included.