A Couple of 1930s DIs In Use.

[patches]

The 33rd Infantry Panama circa 1935.

 

There's a couple of other guys in units other then the 33rd Inf in foto as we see, not sure what they are, the bottom one looks kinda like the 4th Coast Artillery Regiment (4th CA Regt was in the Canal Zone), but as we see, the one on the cap has a flat top, while the 4th CA's has a spread of pointy arrows. The one in the back?

 

 

 

Have no idea, both of these guys do look dark complexioned right, perhaps from a Puerto Rican unit?, not sure Panama had a unit of the Regular Army right?

[patches]

And a fella of the 64th Coast Artillery Regiment Hawaiian Department 1935 or so.

[Matt4thCav]

Canal Zone.jpg

The 33rd Infantry Panama circa 1935.

 

There's a couple of other guys in units other then the 33rd Inf in foto as we see, not sure what they are, the bottom one looks kinda like the 4th Coast Artillery Regiment (4th CA Regt was in the Canal Zone), but as we see, the one on the cap has a flat top, while the 4th CA's has a spread of pointy arrows. The one in the back?

 

4th CA Regt.jpg

 

 

Have no idea, both of these guys do look dark complexioned right, perhaps from a Puerto Rican unit?, not sure Panama had a unit of the Regular Army right?

 

Hello Patches , here I have attached some information that might be useful.

The Panama Canal Division was constituted in the R.A. on 3 June 1921 and activated with HQ at Quarry Heights, CZ, on 3 July 1921. The division HQ was moved on a permanent change of station to Fort Amador in October 1921. The Panama Canal Division was the primary ground force of the Panama Canal Department and was assigned the mission of defending the Canal Zone from potential invaders. It was organized around the nucleus of the 19th Inf. Brig., consisting of the 14th and the 33d Inf. Regts., the 42d Inf., the 1st Bn., 11th Engrs., and several of the companies in the division special troops. The division continued to activate units throughout 1921 adding the HHC, 20th Inf. Brig.; the HQ, Panama Canal Division Q.M. Tn., and several subordinate elements; and the 10th Mtcyl Co. in November. In December, the 1st Bn., 4th F.A. was added, followed by the 2d Bn., 11th Engrs., which rounded out the division in June 1922. Compared to other R.A. divisions of the time, the Panama Canal

Division was fortunate in that it was located on the terrain on which it would fight if

the Canal Zone was ever invaded. Therefore, the training in which the division participated assumed a more important character than the scripted exercises that stateside units often conducted. The division’s training cycle was regulated by Panama’s weather patterns. Individual training, marksmanship training, and schools for unit specialists, for example, took place during the rainy months of May–August. The fairer months of September–December were devoted to

officer and non-commissioned officer schools, garrison work details, inspections, and maneuver preparation. The

early part of the year began with small unit training, reconnaissance of planned and existing defensive positions in the Canal Zone, and exercising transportation and communications systems. These activities were concurrent with, or followed by, the repair and construction of roads, and combined training with air corps and coast artillery units. The

training year finally culminated in the large-scale division and department maneuvers held in February and March.

The department maneuvers often included large surface squadrons from the US Navy and occasionally, amphibious invasion forces provided by the US Marine Corps. The Panama Canal Division was forced to inactivate several units over the years due to budget decreases. These inactivations included the 20th Inf. Brig., the 42d Inf., and the Panama Canal Division Q.M. Tn. HQ in 1931. Additionally, in 1931, the department commander recommended to the War Department an experimental reorganization of units in the Panama Canal Department. The new organization was tested in the February 1932 department maneuver and was subsequently approved by the War Department for permanent adoption. The reorganization resulted in the inactivation of the Panama Canal Division HQ and HHC, 19th Inf. Brig. on 15 April 1932. The remaining units of the division were assigned to the HQ of the newly organized

Atlantic and Pacific Sectors, which also assumed control of all coast artillery elements on each sector’s respective side

of the Canal Zone. The Panama Canal Division’s tables of organization were maintained at the department HQ in the unlikely event that there would be a requirement to reactivate the division for deployment outside the Canal Zone, which required a more mobile organization. The potential for this requirement was extremely limited, however, and as a result, the division was disbanded in 1938.

[matmil]

65th Coast Artillery canal Zone

 

[matmil]

close up

65th CA Insignia

 

[patches]

Great Photo mat.

[patches]

I think I'll have to contact Rusty Canteen and get this topic's title changed to a more General one, one where members can post any and all photos they have or find of 1920s-1930s PRE 1940 mobilzation Unit crest in use on uniforms, because I think it has the makings of a fantastic topic.

[Raymond]

65th Coast Artillery canal Zone

 

Do you have the full picture of this Matmil? I would love to see if so. Would help in family genealogical search.

[matmil]

I don't have a full size, i'll have to work on that and get back to you

[Raymond]

I don't have a full size, i'll have to work on that and get back to Awesome if you can! I appreciate the help.

[Raymond]

 

I don't have a full size, i'll have to work on that and get back to Awesome if you can! I appreciate the help.

 

thanks! I appreciate it!