Description Sailor's Dixie Cup hat signed by the shipmates of Edward T. Earhart. In the center is written "NAVAL ICE CENTER" with the signatures written on the top and bottom of the hat brim.
Historical Notes Edward Earhart was born in Fort Lewis, Washington. He lived in Morehead, Kentucky, and was a University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan. An aerographer’s mate in the U.S. Navy, Edward served on ships across the globe before being stationed at the Pentagon. On September 11, Petty Officer First Class Earhart was scheduled for a vacation but went to the office to help a colleague. He was 26 years old.
Curator's Comment Edward Earhart’s coworkers signed this U.S. Navy white hat, sometimes referred to as a Dixie Cup, and presented it to Edward’s family after his funeral. As an aerographer’s mate first class for the Naval Ice Center, Edward helped ships worldwide to navigate around sea ice. The Kentucky native even kept a picture of an iceberg as a screen saver on his computer. “He was serving his country, and he loved his job,” his sister recalled. Although Petty Officer First Class Earhart was scheduled to go on vacation on September 11, he reported to work at the Pentagon anyway to assist a coworker. HIDE