3 "SG" soldiers in uniform - help ID - What is "SG"?

[stratasfan]

Hi! I got this picture in a Korean vet grouping (trying to figure out if he is one of these guys, but it doesn't matter more my questions here), and am hoping that someone can help answer a couple of questions.

 

-Era?

-What is "SG"?

-What is the chain on the Cpl's chest?

-What is hanging off the belts?

 

Thanks!

 

 

[Steve B.]

The chain on the corporal's chest is for the whistle that is hanging from his left chest pocket button.

 

SG is probably something along the lines of Special Guard but I don't know for sure.

 

The item hanging off the belt may be a billy club, but it seems shorter on the man in the middle and non-existent on the guy on the left. Tough to say for sure.

[stealthytyler]

Pistol holsters handing from belts. A whistle hanging from the guys shirt. Not exactly sure what SG means but I would guess Security Guard?

[aznation]

I found reference to SG markings on helmets on this forum and have included the info below.

 

The "SG" markings are a brief, immediate post-war (Occupation Duty) addition for "Security Guard". Those were used by non-MP units, assigned to various guard duties in the military government section.

 

"SG" can also stand for "Special Guard" which is in the official 1944 Army dictionary as a standard term for guards assigned to a specific structure or area not covered by another unit. They were a: "soldier or group of soldiers detailed for various guard duties which have not been assigned to the main guard or the prisoner guard. Guards of honor, and other guards posted to protect personnel and equipment not covered by other subdivisions of the interior guard of a command, are assigned to the special guard."

[Salvage Sailor]

They could also be members of a "State Guard" unit. Looks like there is a decal on the side of their helmets

[aznation]

It looks like there's an emblem in the middle of the belt buckle of the corporal, although I don't think it's identifiable. Also, maybe someone can tell what the item is on his side better from this photo.

[Salvage Sailor]

....and probably on the buttons too which leads me to think it's a State Guard outfit. Difficult to pin down which state without more detail

[aznation]

There seems to be words written by hand on the lower half the picture with the impression of the writing appearing to originate from the back of the photograph. Is there anything written on the back of this photograph, and if so, what?

[stratasfan]

Oh, right! Should always turn photos around! I don't think it helps, though. Looks like someone with sloppy handwriting wrote the name and addresses of two of the guys on the back. Wish the one that had written it, had marked who he was!

 

 

This photo came in a lot that came all together from a Korean War vet. A khaki garrison cap, a PH medal without the drape (unnamed), three KW vet pins from later years and these other two pictures. They look like they are two different guys, and am not sure if one of them happens to be one of the SG photos. Maybe you can guess on the era of these, too. The second one looks like he could possibly be the SG man on the far left.

 

 

 

Think I should post the SG helmets on the helmet board, too?

[aznation]

Here's one of the guys named on the back.

[aznation]

Oh, right! Should always turn photos around! I don't think it helps, though. Looks like someone with sloppy handwriting wrote the name and addresses of two of the guys on the back. Wish the one that had written it, had marked who he was!

 

SG Trio pic back.JPG

 

This photo came in a lot that came all together from a Korean War vet. A khaki garrison cap, a PH medal without the drape (unnamed), three KW vet pins from later years and these other two pictures. They look like they are two different guys, and am not sure if one of them happens to be one of the SG photos. Maybe you can guess on the era of these, too. The second one looks like he could possibly be the SG man on the far left.

 

SG trio second pic f.JPG

 

SG trio thrid picf.JPG

 

Think I should post the SG helmets on the helmet board, too?

 

I can't make out the last name of the Robert L. ?a??field at the bottom of the picture, but there is a 802 E. Dupont Ave in Belle, West Virginia. Maybe someone can make out what the letters are where I have question marks.