world war I nerd Posted April 16, 2020 Share #1 Posted April 16, 2020 I've had this photo in my "Unidentified Shoulder Patch" file for a while and I need some opinions on what the fragments of the visible shoulder patches look like to you. There's also a name on the reverse - "Lige Thaxton" which might be the name of one of the men depicted in the photo. Therefore, I asking for help finding out it that person served during WW I, and what AEF organization he served with. The image depicts Doughboys fresh off the troop ship marching down a street, probably sometime in 1919, but it could be 1918, like it says on the back of the photo. The guidon is for Battery F or an unknown artillery outfit. The officer, also wears crossed cannons on his collar - so definitely an artillery organization - field artillery - coast artillery, etc. I'm posting what's visible of their shoulder patches, in the hope that someone might know what it is. Don't be afraid to guess either. Thanks for looking and playing "Name that Shoulder Patch" ... World War I Nerd Overall view of the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted April 16, 2020 Inscription on the reverse. More information on this guy may reveal what unit he served in. Please help. It's also possible that "Lige Thaxton" may be the name of the guy who took the photograph ... not someone in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share #3 Posted April 16, 2020 Close up of the artillery or coast artillery guidon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share #4 Posted April 16, 2020 Close up of five of the shoulder patches. I know it's probably because of the patch conforming to the various folds in the sleeves, but each one looks a little bit different. That's what makes it hard to figure out. What do you think the patch is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted April 16, 2020 Share #5 Posted April 16, 2020 Well, there was a Lige Thaxton with Battery F, 148 Field Artillery on a Troop ship leaving NY 23 Jan 1918. His residence was Lovell, Wyoming. He returned on a transport on 11 Jun 1919 from St. Nazaire, still stationed with Bat F, 148 Field Artillery. Service number 141 441, rank Corporal. The BIRLS file lists his service as 8 Aug 1917 - 5 Jul 1919. He was born 4 Sept 1888 and died 10 Oct 1968. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted April 16, 2020 Share #6 Posted April 16, 2020 Billings Gazette, 16 Oct 1968 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share #7 Posted April 16, 2020 Excellent, stratasfan! With an unusual name like Lige Thaxton, that's got to be our guy. That would make the shoulder patch worn by the enlisted men that of the 41st Division. However, I think that the captain, who's shoulder patch looks round, might be wearing the unauthorized "Bucking Bronco" insignia of the 148th Field Artillery Regiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted April 16, 2020 The captain and what might be his shoulder patch, which (to me) doesn't look like that of the regulation 41st Division patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted April 16, 2020 Share #9 Posted April 16, 2020 That name has to be your guy! Besides being in Bat F of a Field ARtillery! and that sunrise patch looks just like what is glimpsed in your photo! His name is kind of different! I knew it wasn't Lige Thaxton, Jr, though. He seems to have served in Korea, I believe. What was funny was the LDS in Wyoming. I've seen a lot of them, but they are always staying in Utah. So, that was different! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted April 16, 2020 Share #10 Posted April 16, 2020 If this is something that really interests you, feel free to send me your email and I can send you the transport roster images! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted April 16, 2020 Author Share #11 Posted April 16, 2020 I totally agree stratasfan. I originally thought that his first name written on the back was misspelled. Am I the only one who thinks that the captain's insignia looks different? Regardless, if I recall correctly, the "Bucking Bronco" insignia used by the 148th has something to do with cowboys and Wyoming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stratasfan Posted April 16, 2020 Share #12 Posted April 16, 2020 Found his memorial, although it doesn't have much on it! Guess I'm off to send a few edits! -grin- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118448366/elijah-thaxton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottodog8 Posted April 17, 2020 Share #13 Posted April 17, 2020 Another question. The soldier closest to the camera on the left is armed with a 1917 revolver. What is the pouch where the ammunition pouch should be worn? It’s not for the 1911, it only seems to have one central snap. Maybe the revolver pouch with the bottom segment cut off? The soldier behind him on the right file is also armed with the revolver, and is wearing the correct pouch. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertmedals Posted April 17, 2020 Share #14 Posted April 17, 2020 BTW, the location appears to be Victory Arch in Newport News, Virgina (which still exists). A large number of troopships for WW1 departed from and returned to the Naval base there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
world war I nerd Posted April 17, 2020 Author Share #15 Posted April 17, 2020 Ottodog, the odd pouch looks like a three-pocket revolver cartridge pouch that's been cut down to a two-pocket pouch. Thanks for pointing that out, as I didn't notice it. It's also the first time I've ever seen that done before. Dennis, thanks for mentioning the Victory Arch. I forgot to include that information when posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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