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This is a remarkably preserved, authentic vintage 1963–1964 United States Navy Western Pacific (WestPac) deployment souvenir coffee mug. This piece features a beautifully detailed, stylized cartoon illustration celebrating liberty port calls at Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan. Approximately 4” x 5” in size.
The graphic depicts a humorous nod to local cultural exchange, featuring an American sailor in his traditional "Crackerjack" dress blue uniform wearing Japanese geta wooden sandals and carrying a traditional wagasa umbrella.
The reverse side features custom fired, gold-infill hand-painted lettering dedicated to its original owner, John Manuel Tinoco, tracking his exact deployment window from October 1963 to May 1964. Historical muster rolls verify that Sailor Tinoco proudly served in the Weapons Department (G-Division armory) aboard the historic Essex-class aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19) during this exact Western Pacific cruise.
It is in excellent vintage condition. The heavy, thick-walled white ceramic body has no chips, cracks, or deep crazing. The brilliant gold trim on the rim and the gold infill text display minimal wear, preserving nearly all of its original luster. Colors on the sailor illustration remain incredibly vibrant. Please review all photos for precise details on condition.
NB: A sailor’s most prized possession was his coffee cup. It was considered a major breach of etiquette to ever touch or use another sailor's mug.
There is a famous, long-standing naval superstition that you should never wash a Navy coffee mug.
