Featured US Navy Sailor's Hat Date ?

I bought this at a Sale today. No stains but yellowed from age. It is stenciled with sailor's name and numbers. Would the 5-43 the date or is it part of a serial number?

 

IIRC the number would have been the service number, which was a letter followed by 6 numbers. The Navy stopped using service numbers in 1972.

 

Thanks TallCakes !

The Service Number would be: B43 35 46. From a quick read on my part, the B letter was used during the Viet Nam War. What I thought was a name (the first line) is not a name.

 

The hat does not appear to have a "B" or "D" at the beginning which didn't start until 1965. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_number_(United_States_Armed_Forces)

 

I think the first line is a name; at least that it was I had on mine at the time and my number was B37 40 35

 

Looks like the person's last name.

 

I am getting dizzy looking at this stencil.
OK we are all in agreement that the first line is a name. The more I look at it the service number is 943 35 46 or 48 .

Thanks to both of uou for your help. TallCakes thanks for your Service. My GD is in the Navy.
Sue

 

Hubby isn't here, but he'd know. He still has his Dixie cup.