Those codes on the crates, TAEGA and TAEHB, were part of an identification system for ammunition items. This system was called the Ammunition Identification Code (AIC) and was used from about 1948 to 1958. Similar letter codes were assigned to every ammunition type in the inventory. Small arms, artillery, mortar, grenades, pyrotechnics, etc. TAEGA is fairly commonly seen because so much .30 Ball ammo packed on en bloc clips for M1 Rifles was produced. Containers were typically marked with specific contents information so it seems like the AIC code was a kind of shorthand for quick ID of materials.
Link to ammunition codes: List of U.S. Army munitions by supply catalog designation - Wikipedia
The AIC was replaced by the Federal Stock Number system, which in turn matured into the National Stock Number system. This crate has an FSN on it as well as an AIC code which dates it to around 1958-60, as a guess.
Link to information on the historic development of supply code systems but also has data on NATO standard markings: NATO Stock Number - Wikipedia
The TAEGA box also had the following notation on the other side:
Which shows that the ammo was furnished to the Washington National Guard. The USPFO (United States Property and Fiscal Office) oversees federal finance and logistical support that flows to the National Guard organization of a given state. There is a USPFO for every state and territory. The old address says, "5114 Steilacoom SW, Lakeview, Wash." Which is now in Lakewood, Wash. The USPFO for Wash. is no longer there. The current one is in a warehouse at Camp Murray. Note the stencil incorrectly says, "UPS&FO." They reversed the S and P. When I was in the NG Technician system, we never used the ampersand in the abbreviation.
Link to ammunition codes: List of U.S. Army munitions by supply catalog designation - Wikipedia
The AIC was replaced by the Federal Stock Number system, which in turn matured into the National Stock Number system. This crate has an FSN on it as well as an AIC code which dates it to around 1958-60, as a guess.
Link to information on the historic development of supply code systems but also has data on NATO standard markings: NATO Stock Number - Wikipedia
The TAEGA box also had the following notation on the other side:
Which shows that the ammo was furnished to the Washington National Guard. The USPFO (United States Property and Fiscal Office) oversees federal finance and logistical support that flows to the National Guard organization of a given state. There is a USPFO for every state and territory. The old address says, "5114 Steilacoom SW, Lakeview, Wash." Which is now in Lakewood, Wash. The USPFO for Wash. is no longer there. The current one is in a warehouse at Camp Murray. Note the stencil incorrectly says, "UPS&FO." They reversed the S and P. When I was in the NG Technician system, we never used the ampersand in the abbreviation.
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