U.S. Navy Officer Combination Cap Bancroft Military Cap, Commander NSWSES. Photograph

U.S. Navy Officer Combination Cap (also referred to as a combination cover). Specifically, the gold oak leaves and acorns embroidery on the black fabric visor—commonly called "scrambled eggs"—indicates that this cover belongs to a Senior Officer with the rank of Commander (O-5) or Captain (O-6). Flag Officers (Admirals) wear two rows of oak leaves, whereas lower-ranking officers (Lieutenant Commander and below) wear a plain black visor with no ornamentation. This is a beautiful example belonging to Cdr. H.S. Pittman probably dated from the about 1979 (see below).

The Bancroft Cap Company effectively shut down and halted production around January 2007

Key Details of the Closure

• Bankruptcy Filing: The company filed for Chapter 11 protection on January 16, 2007, at its main manufacturing plant in Cabot, Arkansas.
• The Contraction & Controversy: The closure followed a major dispute with the U.S. Department of Defense, which demanded repayment of roughly $2.5 to $2.9 million over 340,000 military berets alleged to have violated rules by using foreign-sourced materials.
• Factory Operations: By early 2007, production lines at the Cabot facility (which had operated since 1967) had stopped, and the building was put up for sale or lease.
• History: Founded originally in 1918, the company was a longtime iconic contractor and maker of service caps, visor hats, and berets for the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy.

Harold Sherrod Pittman - Supply Corps. Entered service 11-26-1961. Transferred to Ventura, California in 1979 as Auditor Comptroller/Budget Officer of the Naval Ship Weapons Systems Engineering Station (NSWSES) at Port Hueneme, California. Subsequently, at the same military command, Director of Logistics, responsible for civilian and military personnel, providing varied technical support. Retired June 1, 1982, with rank of Commander, Supply Corps, United States Navy.