1902 Dress uniform of lieutenant Howard C Leslie

[oldtrooper]

Upon joining the Massachusetts National Guard in 1912, Lesise served with B Troop, 1st Squadron of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, known as the “National Lancers”. The Lancers were founded in 1836 as a state militia and would later campaign as companies C and D of the 1st Massachusetts Volunteer Cavalry during the Civil War. In June 1916, Leslie and the National Lancers were called up and deployed to the Texas-Mexico border as part of General Pershing’s Punitive Expedition to capture Pancho Villa and put an end to Mexican rebel activity, especially raids on American towns in Texas and New Mexico.


In July 1917, the unit was federalized and redesignated the 102nd Machine Gun Battalion, and fought in France under the 26th Division. Leslie fought with the Battalion through six campaigns, including the Meuse-Argonne Offesive, St. Mihiel, 2nd Battle of the Marne, and would eventually return home from occupation duty in April 1919. 

[Pointedcuffs]

Great coat and history. Thank you for sharing. 

[ludwigh1980]

Always a fan of Cavalry material. Such an elegant uniform, the 1902 Officers dress uniform must have had a quite the presence from Peking to Manilla. Evokes America's entry onto the global stage. 

[oldtrooper]

Very eloquently stated