Post Your Span-Am to WW I Full-Length Soldier Photos

[world war I nerd]

Full-length photographs of single soldiers almost always reveal an interesting array of detail regarding the uniform, equipment, insignia and weapons utilized by America's military men at any given time. Because of this, I thought it might be interesting to start a thread showing such photos depicting soldiers from the early part of the 20th century, i.e. from the Spanish American War through to the end of World War I.

 

Keep in mind that "full-length" means that the entire soldier from the bottom of his shoes (or boots) to the top of his head (or hat) should be included within the confines of the image.

 

Soldiers from all branches of America's armed forces (Navy, Marine Corps, Army, etc.) are welcome.

 

If you are able, please post the soldier's name (if known), the organization to which he (or she) belonged (if known) and the location or context of the photo (if known).

 

Thanks for participating & looking … World War I Nerd

 

I'll start things off, in no particular order, with a few images of my own ...

 

Up first is an image of Al Stajack of the Coast Artillery Corps (CAC).

 

What's interesting about this photo is the double insignia visible on the left sleeve. the insignia are comprised of a Mechanic's Chevron and a 2nd Class Gunner's Chevron - both of which were used by the CAC between 1904 and 1917. He's also wearing two non-regulation lapel pins above his left breast pocket, one shaped like an eagle and the other round. The resolution is such that neither pin can be identified. The only visible collar disc is the U.S. disc on the collar.

 

[world war I nerd]

Andrew Vanderwoulde a WW I recruit training at an unknown training camp circa 1917-1918.

 

Note his rather casual pose, the rather wide black necktie, and the piece of fruit held in his left hand.

[Eric Queen]

Nice images. Here are a couple of mine.

[Eric Queen]

Army Doctor attached to the 5th Marine Division

[Eric Queen]

River Patrol Marines

[world war I nerd]

This image of an unnamed corporal was labeled "El Paso, Texas, 1915 on its reverse side.

 

He's wearing 1911 Olive Drab Cotton Service Dress with an expert rifleman's badge and a pair of 1904 style russet shoes. I'm pretty sure that the ornamented chain dangling from the left breast pocket is a pocket watch fob.

[Eric Queen]

Marine Bugler

[world war I nerd]

Very nice Eric. those are spectacular!

 

"Gabriel" (the only name present on the back of the image) is probably another WW I recruit at yet another unknown training camp circa 1917-1918. If it wasn't for the lift-the-dot canteen on his belt, I would swear that this photo was taken somewhere along the Mexican border in 1916.

[world war I nerd]

This image of "George Marrer", depicts an enlisted man circa 1907 to 1914 or so. He looks to be wearing a 1902 Dress Blue Uniform underneath his olive drab overcoat. The cuffs present on the overcoat identify it as either the 1907, 1909 or 1912 pattern overcoat.

[world war I nerd]

A nice image of a member of the 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Division. Written in the address section on the back of this real photo postcard is "H. H. Moulder". I'm not sure if this is the soldier's name, or perhaps, the person to whom this postcard was to be sent (the postcard was never used).

[Eric Queen]

Just short of full length but rare subject matter. Naval Railway Battery wearing Marine uniform.

[world war I nerd]

Jack Howell was displaying as much panace as possible when he posed for this French made studio portrait. in it he's donned the so called "Pershing Tie", placed collar discs on the points of his shirt collar and opted to carry his cigarette in a swanky cigarette holder.

[world war I nerd]

An unnamed image of a rather unhappy looking Doughboy wearing a sheepskin-lined short overcoat and rubber boots.

[world war I nerd]

An unamed Maryland National Guardsmen wearing a 1910 eagle snap rifle cartridge belt to which a 1905 bayonet Scabbard is attached circa 1914-ish.

[world war I nerd]

This soon to be Doughboy in training wears a blackk service tie and a mechanic's Chevron for this photo to send home to Mom and Pop.

[world war I nerd]

This unnamed recruit has opted to show off some of the gear his Uncle Sam has bestowed upon him in return for his service in the U.S. Army.

[world war I nerd]

An unnamed Marine in Vera Cruz, Mexico circa 1914.

[world war I nerd]

Minnisota National Guardsman circa 1907 to 1914 wearing a pair of very non-regulation shoes.

[world war I nerd]

Sadly, I have no location, name or context for this photo. Nevertheless, it is an excellent study of the fur-lined cloth flight suit as worn by military aviators during the Great War.

[world war I nerd]

The name, location, context, and date are also unknown for this one. Despite its lack of some vital information, the image does inform us as to what a typical enlisted man would have worn for garrison duty during a formal occasion that did not necitate wearing the full dress uniform circa 1912 to 1916.

[world war I nerd]

An extremely heavy and warm overcoat is worn by this unidentified AEF lieutenant. Although the image was taken in France, it is not known if this officer served in the AEF or as part of America's inerventionin the Russian Civil War.

[world war I nerd]

Scrawled on the reverse of this photo of an unamed AEF officer in France was :

 

"At Ease! Our unsoldierly soldiers. Le Geu' Lian France"

 

(Please note, that cursive script was used for the above, and the spelling of the French location was extremely difficult to accurately transcribe)

[world war I nerd]

Another study of warm weather outer garments as worn by American aviators. in this case, a leather flight coat and fur-lined leather aviator's helmet.

[world war I nerd]

Here we have a unidentified and well-dressed U.S. Army baker, or cook, displaying the garments of his trade ... a white chef's cap and a white apron.

 

Note that the collar of his flannel shirt has been turned inside, or under, the shirt.

[world war I nerd]

An unidentified soldier from the Spanish American War.