Need Help With An ID: 4th AAMGB, 205th IR

[Bill Scott]

I can not remember this one any help is appreciated. Thanks Scotty

[268th C.A.]

It looks like a Commonwealth formation shoulder patch ? Not sure which one. May get some help on the sister forum.  I don't think it US ?

[mortaydc60]

Hi Bill

 

         Liberty Loan not British and for 256th Inf Regt Minnesota if not mistaken

[vintageproductions]

I have it as 205th Infantry Regiment

[mortaydc60]

Bob you are right on number;atleast I got the first digit correct and knew it was a Liberty Loan. not bad for almost 80. Thanks for correction.

[AustinO]

The WWI unit is actually the 4th AAMGB, which was primarily Minnesotans.  It is commonly noted as 205th Infantry in ASMIC sources.  

 

In the 4th AAMGB's history, their CO is wearing the gopher diamond insignia on his shoulder: 

 

I also have an IDd patched 4th AAMGB uniform in my collection, and the soldier had no connection to the 205th after the war. 

[lamarhooten]

I have one setting right in front of the keyboard I am typing this on and it is tagged as the 205th Inf Reg.

 

 

And here it is.

[tredhed2]

Does the history say anything about the Bn being attached/assigned to the regt?

 

Not likely that a Bn would have one of these woven patches as a specific unit patch.

[AustinO]

The 205th & 206th weren't formed until 1923, and were formed from a number of MN State Guard units. The 4th AAMGB was attached at the Corps level in France, I believe. 

 

Due to the large number of Minnesota draftees in the unit (90%+), it doesn't surprise me that they chose a gopher as their emblem (the U of MN is the "golden gophers").  

 

Their unit history is one of my favorites, its well written: https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=tOi1AAAAMAAJ&pg=GBS.PP1

 

There are a number of unique AAMGB insignia posted in this thread: 

 

[tredhed2]

After rereading the previous thread, noting the uniform w/ gopher patch attributed to a dough who served o/s w/ the 4th, I stand corrected. Looks like a Bn did have a LL patch. You have corrected the record. Thank you!

[AustinO]

I would not be surprised if the 205th used the patch too, I just have never seen it worn in photos (in the few photos of the 205th and 206th I've seen locally they are not wearing SSI).  Their DI does have a golden gopher on it.  

[Wailuna]

On 11/16/2022 at 2:28 PM, AustinO said:

The WWI unit is actually the 4th AAMGB, which was primarily Minnesotans.  It is commonly noted as 205th Infantry in ASMIC sources.  

 

In the 4th AAMGB's history, their CO is wearing the gopher diamond insignia on his shoulder: 

 

I also have an IDd patched 4th AAMGB uniform in my collection, and the soldier had no connection to the 205th after the war. 

Also see Major Quane's Find-a-Grave memorial number 122597058. 

[kiaiokalewa]

I figured I'd show AustinO's referenced patched uniform here together with my variation of the 4th AAMGB Shoulder Insignia.  One would ponder as to why this particular organization (as small as it was) would even have a Liberty Loan insignia produced.  As it turns out E.H. Kluge Weaving Company was located down New York City and evidently a portion of the 4th AAMGB  troops had ties with New York according to the organizational reference above. To bring this kind of full circle, there was another battalion with stronger connections to New York, that also had their unauthorized but worn Shoulder Insignia made  by E.H. Kluge and that was  212th Coast Artillery N.Y.N.G. cicra. 1920’s. The First Army patch with red colored panel between the legs was representative organizations Shoulder Insignia. 

[kiaiokalewa]

Here together are the two known and unauthorized battional "Liberty Loan" type patches made and worn by their troops.

 

 

[kiaiokalewa]

I had to dig it out but here's the accepted 205th/206th Infantry Shoulder Insignia (circular patch with silk screened beaver).  Big distinction from long tailed weasel looking animal (we call them mongoose overhere on the islands) within the red diamond that is attributed to the 4th AAMGB.  Ummm, yeah, details count!!!