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WW-I Cavalry officer's uniform


USMCRECON
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Here's a uniform I picked up several years ago. It's a Cavalry uniform belonging to an officer who, according to the ribbons,saw long-service and considerable action. At the moment, I know nothing more than you see in the pictures. As you can see in the smaller picture, the ribbons are sewn directly on the tunic.

 

I think the top left ribbon (red with black stripes) is for the Indian Wars. I'm not sure what the second and third ones are but I think they have to do with the Philippines and I think the last one on the top row in the Philippine Occupation. The left bottom is the Mexican border service medal ribbon. Second from left is the WW-I Victory, of course; it has one silver and two bronze stars on it. Next is the Officer Grade French Legion d' Honor, and the last one (red with light blue stripes) I don't recognize at all.

 

It has blackened bronze officer's cav and US insignia on the collars and a Sam Browne belt with leather sword hangers.

 

post-1107-1187139997.jpg post-1107-1187140004.jpg

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Here's the last two pictures. they're probably not really necessary but here they are. The first one shows the four overseas chevrons on the sleeve and the other picture shows the considerably rumpled trousers. There is some sort of stain on the sleeve near the cheverons. I don't know if it will come put since I haven't tried to clean the uniform at all. I forgot to photograph the trousers this time and pulled up an earlier photo of them, taken outside about a year ago and appended it, just to show the complete uniform.

 

post-1107-1187140664.jpg post-1107-1187140671.jpg

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Awesome uniform. the 2nd ribbon is the Cuban occupation medal (1902) the 3rd ribbon is the Phillipine Congressional medal and the 4th is the Cuban pacification medal (1906-1909). Here is a uniform I had posted where the officer had seen service around the same times. I cant imagine there are a lot of uniforms out there with indian war ribbons on them.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...?showtopic=5311

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Awesome uniform. the 2nd ribbon is the Cuban occupation medal (1902) the 3rd ribbon is the Phillipine Congressional medal and the 4th is the Cuban pacification medal (1906-1909). Here is a uniform I had posted where the officer had seen service around the same times. I cant imagine there are a lot of uniforms out there with indian war ribbons on them.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...?showtopic=5311

 

OK, we know this guy served a long time. He was overseas for at least 2 years -- that means he went over early, possibly with Pershing. The second to last ribbon is the French Legion of Honor. The last ribbon may be the British Distinguished Service Order. If so, it probably means he was a ranking staff officer. He may even have been promoted to 1-star rank during the war, then reduced afterward.

 

With some serious work, this guy could probably be IDd with some certainty, or at least pared down to a few candidates.

 

Are there any names, initials or anything else that could help ID him? Look EVERYWHERE! In the liner, pockets, sleeve head, waistband, behind the pockets, in the sleeve liner, under pocket flaps!

 

If you can provide more clues, I would be willing to give him a shot. Send PM if interested.

 

G

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OK, we know this guy served a long time. He was overseas for at least 2 years -- that means he went over early, possibly with Pershing. The second to last ribbon is the French Legion of Honor. The last ribbon may be the British Distinguished Service Order. If so, it probably means he was a ranking staff officer. He may even have been promoted to 1-star rank during the war, then reduced afterward.

 

With some serious work, this guy could probably be IDd with some certainty, or at least pared down to a few candidates.

 

Are there any names, initials or anything else that could help ID him? Look EVERYWHERE! In the liner, pockets, sleeve head, waistband, behind the pockets, in the sleeve liner, under pocket flaps!

 

If you can provide more clues, I would be willing to give him a shot. Send PM if interested.

 

G

 

 

Awesome uniform. the 2nd ribbon is the Cuban occupation medal (1902) the 3rd ribbon is the Phillipine Congressional medal and the 4th is the Cuban pacification medal (1906-1909). Here is a uniform I had posted where the officer had seen service around the same times. I cant imagine there are a lot of uniforms out there with indian war ribbons on them.

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...?showtopic=5311

 

Thank you all for your comments. Jim, the uniform at the link you posted is truly awesome!

 

I'm leaving tomorrow for a business trip and won't be back until Monday. When I get back, I'll give the entire uniform a much closer look to see if I can find any better clues as to identity. By the way, the blouse has BG stars on it but there are clearly marks on the epaulettes where it appears Colonel's eagles had been. I don't know if the stars were put on later or if he was promored to BG and continued to wear the same uniform. The uncertainty led to my identifying it as "officer" instead of Brigadier General.

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I see that it does have BG stars on the coat. If those are original to the coat, then the cavalry insignia does not belong here, just the US insignia. The only General officers allowed to wear branch insignia would be the commanding general of that particular arm.

I would tend to think that the stars would be original to this coat when taking into consideration those ribbon bars, which are rather nice to say the least!

 

CB

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Thank you all for your comments. Jim, the uniform at the link you posted is truly awesome!

 

I'm leaving tomorrow for a business trip and won't be back until Monday. When I get back, I'll give the entire uniform a much closer look to see if I can find any better clues as to identity. By the way, the blouse has BG stars on it but there are clearly marks on the epaulettes where it appears Colonel's eagles had been. I don't know if the stars were put on later or if he was promored to BG and continued to wear the same uniform. The uncertainty led to my identifying it as "officer" instead of Brigadier General.

 

Very good -- if there are stars there, the Xed sabers should not be. but who knows at this time. Perhaps he was CHief of Cav?

 

Oh, look closely at the back of the belt too for a name.

 

G

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Very good -- if there are stars there, the Xed sabers should not be. but who knows at this time. Perhaps he was CHief of Cav?

 

Oh, look closely at the back of the belt too for a name.

 

G

Hi Gil,

Actually, he would have to be at least a Major General to be the chief of Cavalry.

I certainly hope there is some ID here also, as he must have been and old timer with that Indian wars ribbon.

 

CB

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Hi Gil,

Actually, he would have to be at least a Major General to be the chief of Cavalry.

I certainly hope there is some ID here also, as he must have been and old timer with that Indian wars ribbon.

 

CB

 

I agree, that's why I suggested CG of Cav School at Riley.

 

G

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Somewhat rare to qualify for a Philippine Congrssional and not a Philippine Campaign.

 

I think that the Indian wars ribbon changed from solid red to red/black around 1919

 

Bill

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Somewhat rare to qualify for a Philippine Congrssional and not a Philippine Campaign.

 

I think that the Indian wars ribbon changed from solid red to red/black around 1919

 

Bill

 

OK, I agree. That starts the dating at 1919 -- we can end it about 1924 when gilt buttons were authorized!

 

G

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