Chief Trumpeter, 2nd Engineers, 2nd Infantry Division jacket & overseas cap purchase

[Tonomachi]

This is only my second WW1 uniform purchase which I was told was not messed with as it came out of an estate in this condition.  I picked it up yesterday at the Fairplex Show in Pomona, California.  I didn't know that the 2nd Engineers fought alongside the 4th Marine Brigade at the Battle of Bella Woods until after I got home and look it up.  I found the label (see photo) and it looks like there was a name written in blue ink at one time but now it is illegible.   I was wondering if there was anyway of identifying who wore this jacket as there couldn't have been too many Chief Trumpeters with the 2nd Engineers, 2nd Infantry Division during WW1.  

 

 

[Tonomachi]

I got lucky on an Internet query and found a copy of a book titled:

 

The official history of the Second Regiment of Engineers and Second Engineer Train, United States Army, in the world war by United States. Army. Corps of Engineers. Regiment, 2nd; Mitchell, W. A. (William Augustus), 1877-1941

 

There was nothing in this book under Chief Trumpeter but there were a bunch of entries for buglers (see below).  Of these buglers listed below only two are identified as sergeants a Sgt. Edward L. Rogers of Bethel, VT (Company H) and a Sgt. Orra L. Snyder of address unknown (Companies H & C).  My guess is that one of these two men wore this uniform.  I don't know how to take this any further unless someone has any other ideas.  

 

Buglers in the 2nd Engineers

 

Page 4 - Bugler Orra L. Snyder

Page 127 - Bugler VERNE V. CALDWELL, No. 156678, Company "C," 2nd Engineers:

Page 127 - Bugler HAROLD F. DOWNEY, No. 156228, Company "C," 2nd Engineers:

Page 130 - Bugler VERNE V. CALDWELL, Company "C," 2nd Engineers:

Page 130 - Bugler C. W. GARR, Company "D," 2nd Engineers:

Page 142 - Bugler VERNE V. CALDWELL, Company "C," 2nd Engineers:

Page 142 - Bugler C. W. GARR, Company "D," 2nd Engineers:

Page 152 - Bugler C. W. GARR, Company "D" did show especial bravery and devotion to duty under heavy shell fire, encouraging the men by his example; this near Vierzy, 19 July 1918.

Page 155 - Caldwell, Bugler, Verne V.—CG Soissons, CG Blanc Mont.

Page 155 - Downey, Bugler, Harold C.—CG Blanc Mont.

Page 164 - Albers, Leo W.; La Porte, Ind.; D; Bugler; St. Mihiel; Blanc Mont; Attigny; Argonne;

Page 166 - Ballard, Charles E.; Lockhart, Tex.; D, H; Bugler; Prepn.; Chateau Thierry; Soissons,

Page 169 - Bettig, Joseph E.; Reading. Pa; H; Bugler; Prepn.; Chateau Thierry; Soissons; St.

Page 174 - Cadoo, Mervin A.; Flushing. N. Y.; A; Bugler; Soissons; St. Mihiel; EW, Mont Blanc;

Page 174 - Caldwell, Verne V.; Meridian, Ida.; C; Bugler; Prepn.; Chateau Thierry; CG, Soissons:

Page 179 - Daffer, Freeman W.; Fairmouftt, Minn.; F. H.; Bugler; ES, Prepn. Dahl, Carl T.; Minneapolis, Minn.; B; Pvt. 1st Class; EW, Chateau Thierry; Blanc

Page 182 - Downey, Harold F.; Meridian, Ida.; A, C; Bugler; Prepn.; Chateau Thierry; Soi.s.sons,

Page 220 - Reid, Allison W.; San Leandro, Cal.; A, H; Bugler; Prepn.; Chateau Thierry; EW,

Page 222 - Rogers, Edward L..; Bethel, Vt.; H; Sgt. Bugler; Rhine.

Page 223 - Herbert; Richmond Hill, N. Y.; H; Bugler; Argonne; Rhine.

Page 224 - George J.; Mankato, Minn.; F; Bugler; Prepn.; EW, Chateau Thierry.

Page 226 - Elmer W.; Caldwell, Ida.; F; Bugler; Prepn.; Chateau Thierry; Soissons,

Page 227 - Snodgrass, Cecil R.; Address unknown; E; Bugler; Prepn.; Chateau Thierry; Soissons.

Page 227 - Snyder, Orra L..; Address unknown; H, C; Sgt.; Bugler; Prepi>.; K, Chateau Thierry.

Page 256 - WASHINGTON Bingham, Lloyd E.. Bugler; 1015 South 6th St.. North Yakima. Wash.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AustinO]

Snyder was killed at Chateau Thierry, and Rogers wasn't even overseas for a year.  It didn't belong to either of those men. 

 

Remember that that book was compiled as a snapshot in time, and men may have been flowing into and out of the unit during the Occupation.  I think your best bet is to look at transport records for when they came back as a unit, and then check NCOs who were buglers (if both are noted) for men who spent 18+ months overseas. 

[Tonomachi]

I found both men on Find-A-Grave but I see what you are saying now that the uniform having three war service chevrons indicating I believe a year and a half of service overseas.  Where do you find transport records?

[AustinO]

Charles W Garr fits the bill for your fellow.  Looks like he received a Citation Star basis your book excerpt above. He came back in the HQ detachment as Band Sgt .  All of the other band Sgts below were replacements to the unit who probably joined in mid/late 1918 (only a year overseas). 

[Tonomachi]

Many many thanks for your help!

[Tonomachi]

I believe I found Sgt. Charles W. Garr on Find-A-Grave with a short bio:

 

Charles Wallace Garr

BIRTH           25 Apr 1891

Mena, Polk County, Arkansas, USA

DEATH          1 Nov 1973 (aged 82)

Camden, Ouachita County, Arkansas, USA

BURIAL       

Rest Hills Memorial Park

North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, USA

PLOT SECTION 5

MEMORIAL ID       117579026 · View Source

SGT US ARMY
 

For Bio:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Corporal Charles W. Garr (ASN: 156821), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Company D, 2d Engineers, 2d Division, A.E.F., near St. Etienne-a-Arnes, France, 7 October 1918. Advancing ahead of our infantry Corporal Garr made a reconnaissance of the town of St. Etienne-a-Arnes, and, in spite of the danger, exposed to artillery and machine-gun fire of our own and enemy guns, he procured and returned with valuable information.