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Divisional shoulder patch wear 1920-1939


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Patches is correct. There were 1,000,000 soldiers in Europe in 1918, and more than double that served there, many after the armistice.

 

It rapidly reduced to approx 100,000 in the early 20s, up to approxc 180,000 in 1938-39. Most divisions operated at well less than required TO & Es. Most cavalry "divisions" were really no more than the size of polo teams, with a HQ staff only.

 

Can't promote if there are no slots; you could only hope for someone to leave or die.

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Captain Dennis C. Pillsbury, while serving with the 38th Infantry Regiment, probably at Ft. Douglas, Utah, sometime during the 1920's.

 

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This has been a fascinating thread to read and view --- thank you, all, for contributing!

 

I don't have too many interwar photos in my collection. I will share this one of a 1st US Cavalry trooper.

 

post-949-0-91483100-1553816607.jpgpost-949-0-66830200-1553816616.jpg

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kiaiokalewa

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/290230-interwar-tunics/?hl=kiaiokalewa&do=findComment&comment=2334414

 

 

Finding pics of troops wearing Shoulder Insignia during the Interwar era is a tough endeavor. Try finding troops wearing either Army or Corps patches. Above is some things I covered in the past from my collection.

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Not a division SSI, but here's an officer wearing the Philippine Department SSI on July 4, 1936. In front is Philippine President Manuel Quezon and General Douglas MacArthur.

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Major General Quincy A. Gillmore, commanding general of the 44th Infantry Division, from the January 1930 issue of The New York National Guardsman magazine

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The caption states that this is George Patton at Fort Meyer, VA on 6-5-1933. It appears that he is wearing the SSI of the 3rd Cavalry Division.

post-1761-0-20866600-1556292862_thumb.jpg

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3rd Infantry Division Band - 1930

Great foto, though it will be the the 30th Infantry's Regimental Band, hard to find fotos of these regimental bands.

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mysteriousoozlefinch

fVJSwNt.jpg

6th Infantry Regiment wearing 6th Infantry Divsion SSI in 1938. From the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat via the St. Louis Mercantile Library.

https://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/umsl/islandora/object/umsl%3A247334

 

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6th Infantry Division again on men showing off enlisted dress blues in 1937. From the Saint Louis Globe-Democrat via the St. Louis Mercantile Library. Both links if followed have much larger, zoomable images.

https://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/umsl/islandora/object/umsl%3A247362

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Brigadier General George Van Horn Moseley who commanded the 1st Cavalry Division from November 1927 to September 1929. Note that his divisional SSI has two gold stars on the band as reflected on the DUI for the division. That may be an indication of his position as division commander, although he only appears to be wearing the rank of brigadier general unless he has a second star obscured by his coat's collar. Also note that he appears to be wearing a civilian tie.

post-1761-0-55951800-1570719562_thumb.jpg

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The patch shown on BG Van Horn Moseley is representative of Commander and Staff of the First Cavalry Division. The attached image (from the collection) shows one example that has snap backs on its reverse for easy removal during laundering.

 

There are single starred First Cavalry Division Shoulder Insignia too! These were representative of the two different brigades of the division. The difference between the two (as far as insignia are concerned) was the color of the single starred bend and the horse head.

 

Red bend, red horse head = First Cavalry Division, First Brigade, Commander and Staff.

 

Blue bend, blue horse head = First Cavalry Division, Second Brigade, Commander and Staff.

 

So, the two starred Shoulder Insignia was not exclusive to the rank of the commanding general at any given time between the years of 1922-1934, when these variations were authorized for wear by the troops.post-1384-0-42825300-1571018941_thumb.jpg

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seanmc1114

Maj. Gen. Benson W. Hough commanded the 37th Division of the Ohio National Guard from 1923 until 1935.

37th Infantry Division.Pre-WWII.jpg

37th Infantry Division..png

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seanmc1114

April 6, 1936: Ohio Governor Martin Davey inspects a company of the 112th Engineer Regiment during Army Day ceremonies at Cleveland Central Armory. The Governor is escorted by Brig. Gen. Ludwig S. Connelly, commander of the 73d Infantry Brigade and Col. Donald Pancoast, commander of the 112th Engineer Regiment.

37th Infantry Division.Pre-WWII.2.jpg

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mysteriousoozlefinch

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West Virginia University ROTC cadets wearing 29th Division patches at summer camp, 1939

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