WW1 US Victory medal reference for battle bars issued to the Infantry Divisions of the AEF

[mikes militaria]

 Hello everyone, I’ve had some time, since I recently retired, to enjoy some things I didn’t make time for while working. I’ve been reading some posts and realized no one has posted an in depth reference of battle bars, or clasps, issued to the Infantry Divisions of the AEF. I’ll also include other units, as well as stateside service, to the best of my abilities. If I make mistakes , please feel free to set the record straight.

 I have a friend that was in charge of the Ft. Meyer museum and he gave me some really good reference material.

 
This reference is for the bars that each unit was qualified to wear on their Victory Medals. As has been stated by many people on the forum, there are many reasons an individual soldier may not have the full amount of bars his particular unit was entitled to, or more than his unit was entitled to. Reasons from being wounded, transfers, enlistment after the battles were fought, etc. Each soldier was issued his medal according to his specific service record. 

 

 There are also devices attached to the ribbon, the Silver Star for one. The Maltese Cross for USMC and Navy personal in the AEF that didn’t receive a battle bar. I’ve mostly seen those with the France bar. The are others, mostly personalized insignia soldiers attached to their Victory Medals.

 
Now I’d like to give a shout out to WW1 nerd and his many great and in depth posts. From him we all have learned that even though there were regulations for uniform and insignia display, everyone pretty much did what they wanted, whether it was from a supply issue of insignia availability or personal taste, there are many variations of devices attached to Victory Medal ribbons. I would strongly suggest you check out the WW1 victory medal post by cwnorma to see some great variations and combinations of battle bars and devices not commonly seen.

 
I fully understand that some SSIs may not be “real” as it were, I’ve bought a few reproductions over the years and I’m fully aware that I have some of them in my displays. I’ve received quite an education by the repros I’ve purchased, and as hard as I try, I probably have a few more lessons waiting for me in the future.

 

First up, the official issued battle bars. There are many unauthorized bars that I’ve seen over the years. I’m addressing the authorized battle bars in this post. If you don’t see a battle bar in question in this post it is an unauthorized battle bar. Again, feel free to address any information that might be incorrect.

 
Pictured are the the official battle bars of the Navy, on the left and Army, on the right. Also a 32nd Infantry Division medal with a Silver Star. Above the medal is a five star ribbon with a large Silver Star, which could have been issued to a few different units.. Big or small I’m not sure the soldier cared. He had one.

[mikes militaria]

Next,

1st Infantry Division: Montdidier- Noyon,  the first division was the only unit in my references that received this battle bar. However if you look at cwnormas post, beast has posted a medal with this bar attributed a US Army Ambulance Svc soldier. Unfortunately, my references only show a couple ambulance units.

1st I.D. : Montdidier- Noyon, Aisne- Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse- Argonne and Defensive Sector.

2nd I.D. : Aisne. The Aisne battle bar is only issued to the 2nd and 3rd I.Ds. The Aisne campaign was a Defensive action trying to stop the German advance in that area. The Aisne campaign dates from 27 May to 5 June 1918. The Allied attack on Belleau Wood started on 6 June 1918. The battle of Belleau Wood is not covered by a battle bar. It would be covered by the Defensive Sector bar. Also not covered is any action at Chateau-Thierry between 6 June and 16 July 1918. There was fighting at Chateau-Thierry by some elements of the 3rd division starting 31 May. Those soldiers would be entitled to the Aisne bar. If a replacement joined the Chateau-Thierry battle between 6 June and 16 July, he would not be entitled to the Aisne bar, just the Defensive Sector bar.  The Defensive Sector doesn’t quite do the Marines and Soldiers credit due for a brutal battle. I’m sure there were others. It might explain the unofficial battle bars out there. They probably wanted credit for the battles the major operation bars didn’t cover. ( My opinion )

 

2nd I.D. : Aisne, Aisne- Marne,, St. Mihiel, Meuse- Argonne and Defensive Sector.

 

3rd I.D. : Aisne, Chapagne-Marne, Aisne -Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector.

also pictured is the 6th Engineers attached to the 3rd I.D.

6th Engineers. :  Somme Defensive, Champagne- Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector.

 

4th I.D.: Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector.

[mikes militaria]

3rd I.D., 6th Engineers of the 3rd I.D. and 4th I.D.

[mikes militaria]

As the war went on, more US Divisions shipped to France. From this point I’ll show the specific medals and the units entitled to that specific combination of battle bars.

 

    St.Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector. Many AEF units have this combination of battle bars.

 

5th I.D., 35th I.D., 78th I.D., 80th I.D., 82nd I.D., 89th I.D. And 90th I.D. Also pictured is the 56th Engineer Searchlight Regiment. An Anti-Aircraft unit.

 

I have the 85th I.D. In this display. The 85th was a depot Division. It was broken up and most of the soldiers were sent to other divisions that fought in the SM- MA- DS campaigns, except the 339th Regiment, which was sent to Russia. 
The 85th I.D. had it’s HQ in Lorraine France. It is not listed as earning a Defensive-Sector bar so it would probably have a France bar on their medals. This SSI should be in the France bar display, but it’s not.

[mikes militaria]

          Meuse-Argonne , Defensive Sector, 

 

6th I.D, 29th I.D, 81st I.D. And 88th I.D., 92nd I.D.

Also the 371st and 372nd Infantry Regiments from the 93rd I.D.

[mikes militaria]

                     Meuse-Argonne 

 

7th I.D., 36th I.D. and 79th I.D.

[mikes militaria]

Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector

 

26th I.D., 42nd I.D.  
 

Also an honorable mention to the Air Service,  the 27th Aero Squadron,  94th A.S., Hat in the Ring Squadron,

95th A.S. And 147th A.S. also received this combination of battle bars on their medals.

[mikes militaria]

[mikes militaria]

             Ypres-Lys, Somme- Offensive, Defensive Sector

 

                    27th I.D., 30th I.D.

[mikes militaria]

                  Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne and Defensive Sector

 

                                       28th I.D.

 

                   Also pictured is the 53rd Field Artillery Brigade attached to the 28th I.D.

                                 Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys

[Pointedcuffs]

Awesomeness!!!! Thank you for sharing your amazing collection.

[268th C.A.]

Extremely well done! this should be pinned. For reference! Excellent display 

[mikes militaria]

              Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Defensive Sector

 

               32nd I.D. 
 

         I put the 41st I.D. In this display because the 147th Field Artillery Regiment from the 41st I.D. was attached to the 32nd I.D.

         The 41st I.D. was a depot division that was broken up and transferred to other divisions. Probably a France bar for the 41st.

 

                                          Thank you for the comments, I still have more to go.

[mikes militaria]

                     Somme Offensive, Meuse -Argonne, Defensive Sector

 

                               33rd I.D.

[mikes militaria]

                   Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys, Defensive Sector

 

                               37th I.D.

[mikes militaria]

                    Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, Defensive Sector

 

                         77th I.D.

[Primoris Scio]

Great thread mike!

 

I can confirm your 27th Div medal:

 

[mikes militaria]

                            St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Ypres-Lys

 

                                    91st I.D.

[mikes militaria]

                                Somme-Offensive

    
                         301st Heavy Tank Battalion

 

I picked up a 301st Tank Battalion Lt. uniformly a while ago. I made this to have instead of keeping the uniform out. I don’t have a lot of room. I question the collar insignia, but I like it. The uniform has the heavy tank and wreath collar insignia. The medal looks like a newer ribbon than the originals. The battle bar looks brand new compared to the medal. I still like it.

[mikes militaria]

   I’ll probably get a few comments on this one. Yes I know the collar discs are repros. But it’s a representation. I purchased the 332nd patch many years ago. I trust the guy, he said it was real and rare because it wasn’t bullion. It’s better than the one I didn’t have. Maybe someday I’ll get a bullion 332nd.

 

                           Vittorio-Veneto, Defensive Sector

                                 332nd Infantry Regiment

 

                             Italian Service bar

                             American Ambulance Service.

                            Aviation personnel of the AIC station in Foggia Italy, and Military Postal Express personnel in major Italian cities        
                           were also entitled to wear the Italian Service bar on their medals.

[mikes militaria]

 I have a haversack marked with 483rd Aero Squadron.  I saw the 483 patch at a show and of course had to have. You know, they match, right? The number on the haversack is probably a private, but again for my viewing pleasure I made this.

 

 The 483rd Aero Squadron is a construction unit. I guess they built air fields but I really don’t know what they constructed. If anyone knows, the info would be appreciated.

 

 

           The 483rd Aero Squadron has the France Service bar on their medals.

[mikes militaria]

                  Siberia and Russia Expeditionary Clasps, or Service bars (or clasps).
 

        Siberia Service bar:

27th Infantry Regiment, 31st I.R., Infantry Replacement Bn., Companies A&B. Field Hospital #4, Evac Hospital #17,

Ambulance Co. #4, Medical Supply Depot #7 plus members of the Army Nurse Corps, Dental Corps and Veterinary Corps.

53rd Telegraph Bn., Co. D, 146th Ordnance Depot, Service Park Unit #333, MTC, Supply and Labor Companies, QMC.

Bakery Co #391, AMC. War Prison Guard Detachment, GHQ Staff Personnel.

 

                           Russia Service bar.:

339th Inf. Rgt., 310th Engineer Rgt., 1st Bn., 337th Ambulance Co., 337th Field Hosp Co., 167th & 168th Companies of the North Russia Transportation Corps.

 

 

                             Defensive Sector:

certain personnel of the Russia and Siberia Expeditions who were actively engaged with an armed enemy were authorized to the Defensive Sector clasp in lieu of an expiation army Clasp.

 

[mikes militaria]

France Service bar. I’m mostly dealing with Infantry Divisions. If I tried to list all of the units that  received the France bar it would take days or weeks. Most Service and Supply units, Base Hospitals, Rest Camps, Training Schools, etc. would receive the France bar.

 
        This medal has the France bar as well as two bronze stars.
         My guess is two tours. Not authorized devices, but unique.

 

                  France: In order, left to right, top to bottom.

                  8th I.D., 87th I.D., 38th I.D. 34th I.D., 86th I.D.

                  38th I.D., 87th I.D., 39th I.D., 76th I.D.

                  2) 84th I.D., 83rd I.D.  40th I.D., 31st I.D., 39th I.D., 31st I.D.

( The 83rd emblem is the letters that spell OHIO stack on each other, trivia for today)

The 41st and 85th I.D.s should be here as well.

 

[mikes militaria]

                                                                  US Stateside Service. No bars. L to R. T to B.

 

                                                                       19th I.D. 13th I.D., 11th I.D., 19th I.D.

                       19th I.D. later version, 14th I.D., Port of Embarkation, 101st I.D., Port of Embarkation, New York.

                                                               129th Aero Squadron, 9th I.D., 12th I.D., 18th I.D.

                                                                      1st Sector, 18th I.D., 95th I.D. 10th I.D.

                                                                          

I’ve seen this 19th I.D. patch listed as other divisions, the 1st I.D. I believe, I’m going with the 19th. Any info is welcome.

The 101st was activated 2 Nov. 1918. Close enough. The 1st sector patch, one of my first WW1 patches. I was told North East portion of the US. I have no idea about that one. Probably fake. $10. Why not? Any info on that would be appreciated.

[mikes militaria]

                                       20th Infantry Division. Stateside Service, No bars.

 

This is a repro of the 20th I.D.  I recently inherited my Grandfathers WW1 uniform. I tried it on when I was 10 yrs old. We were in a rush to clean out what we could from my Grandparents house because they were building I-71 from Kentucky to Cincinnati. My Grandparents had passed and they were going to tear their house down for the interstate. Beautiful old row house, stained glass windows, beautiful hand carved bannisters. Just a few blocks from the Ohio River. It’s gone now, just a bridge over the interstate.

Trying my Grandfather’s tunic on when I was 10 sparked my interest in WW1. My Grandfather was 5’4”, so it fit me when I was ten.

It was stored in a cedar chest. I asked my father about it for years. He just didn’t tell me much. I had no idea what my GF did during the war. It was left to me, I got the cedar chest about a year ago. Pop’s didn’t make it easy, I had to make a key and pick the lock. As my siblings and I cleaned out my fathers house I found all kinds of stuff I never knew existed that belonged to my Father and Grandfather. One thing I found, in an obscure place in pop’s laundry room, was a small wooden box with letters in it. It could have been easily thrown away by anyone that didn’t care to look. It was a box of every letter my GF sent to my GM, before they were married, during his entire enlistment which was less than a year. My GF passed when I was 1yr old. I never knew him.

He was in the 50th Infantry Regiment. It was later attached to the 20 Infantry Division. He never made it to France. He never got his Victory medal, I did find his bronze victory lapel pin and other stuff too. He didn’t have a red Honorable Discharge stripe on his uniform. I have his Honorable Discharge my sister found and framed and surprised me with. I’m wondering if he ever knew the 20th Division had a patch. Regardless, he was attached to the 20th. So it’s become special to me. I’ve seen a couple “real” ones over the years and never gave it much thought. Now that I want one, I’ll probably never see another one.