Bugme Posted September 27, 2016 Share #1 Posted September 27, 2016 Recently picked this grouping up from Jeff at AGM. This is one of those items I've been searching for, for quite some time, that being an attributed WWI Chaplain grouping which actually had his helmet included in the grouping. So, this one is now off the short list of "must have" helmets and I think i got a home run with this one! This is the 1930 dated uniform, WWI painted helmet, and WWI Victory Medal from Lt. Colonel Michael J. O'Connor, who served as a Chaplain in the 101st Infantry during WWI and continued in his service to the 26th Division for many years after the Armistice. In a copy of the History of the Yankee Division, he is listed as a 1st Lieutenant and Chaplain of the 101st in the original organization of the 26th. A photocopy of excerpts from New England in France reveal that during the war he was promoted to Captain and made Divisional Chaplain. The Holyoke, MA paper says this about him: "The Rev. Father Michael J. O'Connor was born in Ireland, July 12, 1869, and came to this country when a boy. He attended the local schools and Holy Cross College. He enlisted as a private in the 9th infantry in 1890. Later he became chaplain of the same regiment. He was ordained to the priesthood December 22, 1901, and was first assigned to the parish of St. Peter's church, Rutland, Vt. He was recalled to this diocese and became rector of St. Patrick's Church, Stoneham. In 1905 he was assigned to St. Francis de Sales' church, Roxbury, a pastorate he held when he became chaplain of the 9th in 1907, and continued to hold when he went to the Mexican border with the regiment and when he went to France with the 101st infantry. He later was made chaplain of the 26th division. Chaplain O'Connor is known as "the fighting Chaplain," and has lived up to the name." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pudgy (V) Posted September 27, 2016 Share #2 Posted September 27, 2016 Wow, what an awesome grouping!! Amazing find!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navybean Posted September 27, 2016 Share #3 Posted September 27, 2016 Awesome group, Great helmet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasonm Posted September 27, 2016 Share #4 Posted September 27, 2016 Museum quality. Congratulations Scott I couldn't think of a more deserving custodian of this group. I'm glad that you have it in your collection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted September 27, 2016 Share #5 Posted September 27, 2016 A fine looking group....Congratulations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted September 27, 2016 Share #6 Posted September 27, 2016 Another great Holyoke group on the forum!! Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt4thCav Posted September 27, 2016 Share #7 Posted September 27, 2016 A fantastic lot, the M1926 uniform is super <3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkash23686 Posted September 27, 2016 Share #8 Posted September 27, 2016 Great looking group Scott. Is the front painted or has it been lacquered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMC-RECON0321 Posted September 27, 2016 Share #9 Posted September 27, 2016 Excellent Helmet grouping Scott! I would love to add a WWI Chaplain grouping to the collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted September 27, 2016 Author Share #10 Posted September 27, 2016 Thanks everyone, this is something I've been working toward for years. I've got ID'd WWI Chaplain uniform groups and a WWI Chaplains helmet but, I've never been able to pull down a Chaplains helmet/uniform group together that was ID'd. Troy, maybe next time. Another great Holyoke group on the forum!! Bill Gotta love the Irish Bill! A fantastic lot, the M1926 uniform is super While having his earlier uniform would have been nice, I believe having this one is actually more interesting. Great looking group Scott. Is the front painted or has it been lacquered? The texture was smoothed down on the front of the helmet only, then the insignia and cross were painted followed by a coat of shellac. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trenchbuff Posted September 27, 2016 Share #11 Posted September 27, 2016 That's a beauty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted September 27, 2016 Share #12 Posted September 27, 2016 Beautiful group, Scott! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonlight Gecko Posted September 27, 2016 Share #13 Posted September 27, 2016 Very nice. Hardly see Chaplain groups, let alone of this quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted September 27, 2016 Author Share #14 Posted September 27, 2016 Very nice. Hardly see Chaplain groups, let alone of this quality. Very true, while WWI and earlier Chaplain groupings are very hard to locate, the WWII, Korea and even 'nam era Chaplain groups are getting to be nearly as hard to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted September 27, 2016 Share #15 Posted September 27, 2016 Yep that's a terrific pick up. Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anton67 Posted September 28, 2016 Share #16 Posted September 28, 2016 Very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USMCR79 Posted September 28, 2016 Share #17 Posted September 28, 2016 I saw an indication that he was WIA also in WWI Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFP54 Posted September 28, 2016 Share #18 Posted September 28, 2016 Nice group - and great helmet. I wonder when the spot varnish was applied to the painted insignia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted September 28, 2016 Author Share #19 Posted September 28, 2016 Nice group - and great helmet. I wonder when the spot varnish was applied to the painted insignia. Actually, it is shellac and was applied to the entire helmet. However, it only looks shiny on the smooth area where the good Chaplain removed the sawdust texture and applied the insignia and cross. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KASTAUFFER Posted September 28, 2016 Share #20 Posted September 28, 2016 Very nice Scott! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguy1986 Posted September 28, 2016 Share #21 Posted September 28, 2016 Great pick up, Scott. My jaw hit the floor when I saw it in the AGM catalog, and I'm very pleased to see it in a good home. There are several photos of the chaplain included in the Pictorial History of the 26th Division. I'll try to go through it and post a few of them if I can find the time over the next few days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted September 28, 2016 Author Share #22 Posted September 28, 2016 Great pick up, Scott. My jaw hit the floor when I saw it in the AGM catalog, and I'm very pleased to see it in a good home. There are several photos of the chaplain included in the Pictorial History of the 26th Division. I'll try to go through it and post a few of them if I can find the time over the next few days. That would be wonderful! I've got the book: "With the Yankee Division in France" which is where the photo of him that is posted came from. However, I do not have the "Pictorial History of the 26th Division". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted September 28, 2016 Author Share #23 Posted September 28, 2016 Found this photo of the Chaplain O'Connor from the book: Sky Pilots, The Yankee Division Chaplains of WWI. It also states that he was wounded, gassed and served communion to troops during combat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jguy1986 Posted September 30, 2016 Share #24 Posted September 30, 2016 Here are a couple of the photos that actually show him wearing a helmet, which I assume is the same one in the grouping. My phone / computer combo is being funky right now after a software update, but I'll try to upload a few more. Scott, if you would like, shoot me a PM with your email and I'll try to scan them so you can print out some decent quality copies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugme Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share #25 Posted October 1, 2016 jguy1986, thank you so much for posting these photo's! I would like to think that the helmet in the photo is the same one that came from his estate and very likely is the same one but, that 100% confirmation is lost to history. whatever the case, these are awesome! Thanks!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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