C. 1935 Unidentified Black Soldier, Medals, Distictive Unit Insignia, ?

[bunkerhillburning]

Picked up this C. 1935 photograph stamped Photograph by Lt. F. R. Undritz U.S. Army depicting an American soldier who appears to be wearing three marksman medals. Two Di or Distinctive Unit Insignia appear on the uniform and while washed out a palm tree seem to be part of the design.

 

Wondered if anyone might be able to ID the unit or possibly the soldier.

[bunkerhillburning]

I just posted a second photo, same RPPC format and age by the same photographer.

[Salvage Sailor]

State Rifle Association Arizona

[Salvage Sailor]

Could be the 25th Infantry Regiment DUI

 

The African American Soldier At Fort Huachuca http://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1054&context=anth_facpub

 

See page 56

 

The 25th spent the 1920s in camps in Arizona,

participating in training and sports with and against the 10th Cavalry. In 1933 the 2nd

Battalion and H and S Companies of the 25th moved from Camp Stephen D. Little to Fort

Huachuca and the 1st Battalion and its H and S Companies moved to the fort from Camp

Harry J. Jones. The 1st was almost immediately deactivated, its men transferred to other

units within the 25th

[bunkerhillburning]

Salvage, this would explain both photos I have being taken by the same photographer. He must have taken them during the time they spent together. A poster on the thread I posted with the 10th Cav soldiers mentioned the photo would date pre 1931 due to the leggings worn.

 

The seller has a third photo depicting black soldiers encamped in a field but the RPPC stamp box is earlier than the two I own and they are not stamped by the photographer.

[bunkerhillburning]

PS I think you are correct with the ID of the 25th as the palm tree is so clearly seen in the photo.

 

Really interesting.

[bunkerhillburning]

Salvage, are you involved with the State Rifle Association Arizona? I wondered when it became integrated or if it was ever segregated at all.

[Salvage Sailor]

Salvage, are you involved with the State Rifle Association Arizona? I wondered when it became integrated or if it was ever segregated at all.

 

Nope, I'm somewhat familiar with shooting medals and recognized the Cactus planchet as Arizonan. Good question you've posed but I don't have the answer to that.

[bunkerhillburning]

I checked Twitter and posted the image on my account with an @ to the Arizona organization. But I doubt I will get a response as they have not sent a tweet since 2016. Would be great to learn their history in regard to racial integration. Hats off to them for being well ahead of the curve.

[THAT GUY]

Great photo. I like how he has his Corporal rank just sewn or pinned on his Private Rank.

 

My Great-Grandfather commanded Company F at both Camp Little and Huachuca with the 25th. from 1931-1934.