Ralph K. Huitt served in the United States Navy during World War II before beginning a career that would place him unusually close to the workings of American government. Following his military service, Huitt entered academia and joined the University of Wisconsin political science faculty in 1949, becoming a respected scholar of Congress, Senate leadership, and the legislative process. Studying Washington apparently wasn't enough, because Huitt eventually went inside it. He worked on the staff of Senator Lyndon B. Johnson and later served as legislative assistant to Wisconsin Senator William Proxmire. Huitt also worked as a speechwriter during Johnson's 1960 vice-presidential campaign. His relationship with the Johnson political world eventually carried him into the executive branch. In August 1965, President Johnson nominated Ralph K. Huitt of Wisconsin to become an Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, a nomination recorded in the Congressional Record. He subsequently continued a career involving higher education and public policy. That progression—from wartime naval officer to political scientist, Senate insider, presidential campaign speechwriter, and federal official—gives this cap a historical identity far beyond an ordinary piece of WWII uniform equipment.
Identified militaria becomes particularly interesting when the person behind the name can be followed beyond a service record, and Huitt left an unusually long historical trail. His career bridges WWII military history, the University of Wisconsin, congressional scholarship, William Proxmire, Lyndon Johnson, and the federal government of the 1960s. The identification card remaining physically inside the cap is consequently one of its most important features. It provides the direct connection between the artifact and the individual rather than leaving the provenance dependent entirely upon an accompanying story. For a Wisconsin collector, the Huitt connection becomes even more compelling through his University of Wisconsin career and association with Senator Proxmire. For a political collector, the LBJ connection creates another avenue entirely. For a militaria collector, it remains an identified WWII U.S. Navy officer cap regardless of everything Huitt accomplished afterward. Its condition means this is not the example for someone seeking spotless white fabric and gleaming untouched insignia. It is instead the example for someone who values who wore it. Generic WWII Navy officer caps aren't particularly difficult to find; one belonging to a documented WWII veteran who later moved through the orbit of Proxmire, Johnson, academia, and the federal government is another matter. Ralph Huitt apparently spent much of his career studying where power resides in Washington. Fortunately, he left his name inside his hat.
⚓ Condition: Pre-Owned with substantial staining, spotting, discoloration, soiling, tarnish, oxidation, and age-related wear as photographed.
🦅 Construction: Off-white fabric crown with black band and visor, metallic Navy officer insignia, decorative braid, interior sweatband, and identification pocket.
🎖️ Insignia: Traditional U.S. Navy officer eagle and shield above crossed anchors.
🏷️ Provenance: Interior identification card bears the name Ralph Kinsloe Huitt.
🇺🇸 Military History: Huitt served as a U.S. Navy officer during World War II.
🏛️ Political History: Huitt later worked with Lyndon B. Johnson and William Proxmire and was nominated by President Johnson as an Assistant Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
🎓 Academic History: University of Wisconsin political scientist recognized for his work on Congress and Senate politics.
📏 Approximate Size: Approximately 10 inches across the crown and approximately 4 inches high based on photographed measurements.
🎁 Great Gift For: WWII militaria collectors, U.S. Navy collectors, Wisconsin historians, political memorabilia collectors, and LBJ-era history enthusiasts.
⚓ An old Navy cap is militaria. An old Navy cap with a résumé like Ralph Huitt's becomes something considerably more interesting.
All items are sold as is with no returns, no exceptions. These are vintage or custom pieces that will not be perfect unless noted otherwise. Flaws and age should be expected. Any questions, please ask. If shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico please contact me first or your order may be cancelled.
Combined shipping is available, please contact me for details.
Please view all pictures before purchase. If there are any questions regarding a product, please reach out. Our policy is to answer your questions within 24 hours, most times significantly less.
If there is a problem with the purchase, please reach out before leaving a negative review. Our goal here is to have a positive experience with each transaction, and we hope to work together to resolve any issues.
Our shipping policy is to always ship via the lowest shipping cost available. If you wish for expedited shipping, please reach out and we'll do what we can to accommodate. It is also policy to have your package in the mail within 24 business hours. If you purchase before 2pm Central Time, your package will most likely go out that day. Please check your tracking numbers to view where your package is currently in transit. We have no control over delivery speed once item has been dropped off.
📸 You know you’re gonna want to Instagram this when it’s done.
All items are sold as is with no returns, no exceptions. These are vintage or custom pieces that will not be perfect unless noted otherwise. Flaws and age should be expected. Any questions, please ask. If shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, or Puerto Rico please contact me first or your order may be cancelled.
Combined shipping is available, please contact me for details.
Please view all pictures before purchase. If there are any questions regarding a product, please reach out. Our policy is to answer your questions within 24 hours, most times significantly less.
If there is a problem with the purchase, please reach out before leaving a negative review. Our goal here is to have a positive experience with each transaction, and we hope to work together to resolve any issues.
- Our shipping policy is to always ship via the lowest shipping cost available. If you wish for expedited shipping, please reach out and we'll do what we can to accommodate. It is also policy to have your package in the mail within 24 business hours. If you purchase before 2pm Central Time, your package will most likely go out that day. Please check your tracking numbers to view where your package is currently in transit. We have no control over delivery speed once item has been dropped off.
Colors have been sharpened on some images to show item detail and may reflect in slightly dimmer appearance in real life.The first image has been digitally sharpened to better show details, this at times causes a slight change in the color, please be aware of this, and check all photos.
Items shipped to Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico must be pre-approved before purchase. Failure to do so could result in the cancellation of the order.
Related Items:
Shellback U.S. Navy Ancient Order of the Deep 3" Patch
$6.50
U.S. NAVY BLUE NOSE SUBMARINE INSIGNIA BADGE - ANTIQUE SILVER
$35.00
U.S. NAVY BLUE NOSE SUBMARINE INSIGNIA BADGE - BLUE ENAMEL
$35.00
