USMC LTC with Banana Wars and China Service

[316th FS 324th FG]

I thought I'd posted this before, but I guess only on the FB page.

 

Albert Paul joined the USMC in 1910 at age 17 attending Marine Corps boot camp at the Naval shipyards in Norfolk, VA.  In 1914, was promoted to Sgt. He received his commission as a 2nd Lt in late 1917 or early 1918.  He spent the remainder of the war as a military courier, taking diplomatic messages from Europe to the US. He also served in the US Virgin Islands in 1918.

He served in the "Banana Wars" during the 1920's in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. He has the Nicaraguan Medal of Merit on his rack too.  He was assigned as the Communications Officer for the 4th Marines in Shanghai, China during the mid-1930’s.

 

During WWII, although most Marines were sent to the Pacific, he was asked to work with the OSS in England, helping to again read decoded German messages.  Albert W. Paul was retired in 1946 with the rank of Lt. Col.

 

The European service in WWI and the OSS service in WWII are both unconfirmed. I can find nothing on his enlisted service but he is wearing a GC medal on his ribbon rack in the 40's.

 

Welcome any help filling the gaps on his history

 

Also wondering what I would need to restore the uniform. EGAs and Major insignia for the shoulders. What shirt would have been worn? Cummerbund?

[warguy]

Nice uniform. It will be difficult to find the correct Major embroidered bullion red wool backing for the epaulettes, and I think this will be your biggest challenge. The ega’s should prove a little easier, you need a set of P1912 pin back Officers dress. They will cost you, especially for a matching pair but they can be found. The shirt was typically a tuxedo style, but a white vest was worn over that. The vests I have seen are finely made in a waffle pattern. A crimson silk cummerbund matching the liner would finish off the display. Good luck, these are beautiful uniforms and I especially like the pre-WWII design.