Need some help

[Rigel]

I need to identify the rank in these images. One is of a Sergeant (Tech Sergeant?) but I'm not sure what the other rank is. Any help is appreciated. I believe the images are of pre-WWII Marines, and they were in the band.

 

Rigel

 

[Justin B.]

Those are Army, not USMC, pre-war or very early WW2. The one on the left is an example of specialist stripes, never officially authorized. Technical specialists held private or PFC rank, but also got levels of extra specialist pay for their skills. Understandably, many of them wanted something to show this on the uniform, so the unofficial extra rockers were pretty common. That one would be "Private First Class, Specialist 4th Class." In 1942 the specialist system was replaced by the technician "T" grades.

 

Justin B.

[Rigel]

Thanks for the help. How do you know they are in Army uniforms? Did the Army have a khaki uniform at that time? I have another image in what I assume is their band uniforms.

 

Rigel

 

[Lee Ragan]

Check out the uniforms reference section. That should answer most of your questions. It's located near the bottom of the forum home page.

[Rigel]

Thanks for all the help.

[hardstripe]

The soldier on the left in your first post is wearing unofficial chevrons for a PFC, Specialist 4th Class. Manufacturers made chevrons for PFC, Specialist 1st through 6th Class. This one, however, was locally modified but cutting down a Master Sergeant Chevron. The top rocker on the manufactured chevrons did not tie into the PFC Chevron.

 

If I saw one of these loose I doubt I would buy it because any one could cut down a master sergeant chevron. It is cool to see one of these "cut down" chevrons actually being worn.

 

I have attached an image of the manufactured chevrons. See how the top rocker did not tie in to the chevron.

[Wailuna]

I have another image in what I assume is their band uniforms.

 

These interwar specialist ratings were relatively abundant in regimental bands. Can you enlarge your image to show details of the unit insignia on this soldier's cap? We might be able to identify his unit from that or other insignia these men were wearing.

 

[Rigel]

The soldier on the left in your first post is wearing unofficial chevrons for a PFC, Specialist 4th Class. Manufacturers made chevrons for PFC, Specialist 1st through 6th Class. This one, however, was locally modified but cutting down a Master Sergeant Chevron. The top rocker on the manufactured chevrons did not tie into the PFC Chevron.

 

If I saw one of these loose I doubt I would buy it because any one could cut down a master sergeant chevron. It is cool to see one of these "cut down" chevrons actually being worn.

 

I have attached an image of the manufactured chevrons. See how the top rocker did not tie in to the chevron.

 

Thanks a bunch for your help. I zoomed in on the chevrons and it looks to me like they tie in to the rocker. Take a look:

 

 

Where would that put them then?

 

Rigel

[Rigel]

 

These interwar specialist ratings were relatively abundant in regimental bands. Can you enlarge your image to show details of the unit insignia on this soldier's cap? We might be able to identify his unit from that or other insignia these men were wearing.

 

post-151564-0-17929800-1392142363.jpg

 

I was able to zoom in on the insignia, does this help?

 

 

I found a belt buckle, but it's very poor quality.

 

 

They were also practicing with their gas masks and I can read "US", but I can't make out anything else.

 

 

Thanks again for all your help!

 

Rigel

[Wailuna]

I was able to zoom in on the insignia, does this help?

 

insignia1.jpg

Yes, insignia is for 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division.

 

This was a Nebraska National Guard outfit called up for Federal service in December 1940 and was stationed at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, in January 1941. As the soldier is wearing khaki uniform this picture was probably taken spring or summer 1941. Is this the same solider who wearing the 1st & 4th chevrons in your earlier post?

 

There is a very good 35th Infantry Division Website, with unit rosters, if you have names associated with any of those pictures you might find the here: http://www.coulthart.com/134/

[Rigel]

Yes, insignia is for 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division.

 

134th Inf.jpg

This was a Nebraska National Guard outfit called up for Federal service in December 1940 and was stationed at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, in January 1941. As the soldier is wearing khaki uniform this picture was probably taken spring or summer 1941. Is this the same solider who wearing the 1st & 4th chevrons in your earlier post?

 

There is a very good 35th Infantry Division Website, with unit rosters, if you have names associated with any of those pictures you might find the here: http://www.coulthart.com/134/

 

Many thanks, this is the same soldier with the Pvt 1st Class rank. I'll go check that site out, too.

 

Rigel