Magnificent middleweight championship belt for the Pre-WWII US Asiatic Fleet.  Massive central shield embellished with an eagle and anchor within a framed shield, surrounded by oak and laurel leaves.  Reverse has the proof stamps for Gorham Jewelers, the sterling mark, and 3 initials (BFV) which could have been either the government acceptance inspector or the recipient of the belt.  Shield struck with "Asiatic-Fleet Championship" with additional hand engraved "Boxing" & "Middle Weight".  Comes with its original red/white/blue cloth belt which has become separated with age.  Original sterling belt clasp still in place.  A very rare China Fleet item and a marvelous display piece, we are attributing this piece to Col. Van D. Belt Jr. due to the fact that he spent several years in China and served throughout the Pacific aboard the flagship of the Asiatic fleet, the USS Augusta, serving as an orderly and bodyguard for Admiral Yarnell. During his China years, he won the Asiatic Pacific and All Navy boxing championships. During World War II, Mst. Sgt. Bell participated in the battles of Gaudalcanal, Bougainville, Guam and Okinawa. After World War II, 1st Lt. Bell was ordered back to China. He later served in the Korean War, where he became company commander of A/1/7. Col. Bell died Sunday, June 7^th, 2009 and is interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C.