Named 26th Infantry "Yankee Division" Grouping

[Big Iron]

I just received a grouping from a former coworker who had acquired this from the granddaughter of the veteran. He served in the Connecticut National Guard and eventually the 26th Infantry Division in the 102nd Infantry Company K. 

 

Included in the group is a helmet with painted insignia, dogtags, yard-long photo (couldn't photograph it), WWI Victory Medal, Connecticut National Guard medal, Connecticut State WWI Victory Medal, and his Connecticut National Guard 100% Attendence merit certificate.

 

There are four dogtags from varying jobs/stations he had. What is the "punched" (hole) section on the veteran's medal for? What does it signify?

 

I was unable to locate his grave info, but it appears he was born in 1895 and passed away in 1968. Born in New Jersey, eventually moved to Connecticut. Enjoy the photos! This is the first named grouping I've ever received "out of the blue".

 

 

[jumpship]

In case you haven’t seen this:

[KurtA]

Great group!   Helmet is outstanding.  

[mvmhm]

Name Robert B Bryson

Departure Date31 Mar 1919

Departure Place Brest/France

Arrival Date 7 Apr 1919

Arrival Place Boston, Massachusetts

Address 30 Martin Avenue

Residence Place Wallington Connecticut

Next of Kin Mrs Jessie Wheeler

Relationship Aunt

Ship Agamemnon

Military Unit CO K 102 INF

Rank SUP SGT INF

Service Number 65,786

Notes Co K 102nd Inf

[mvmhm]

His draft card....

[Big Iron]

@jumpship and @mvmhm, thank you for the additional documents. I found the draft record, but the departure from France and his headstone application is MUCH appreciated! The cemetery he's buried in is not fully photographed, so he does not show up on Find a Grave (a shame!). I will be in contact with the cemetery to see if someone can fulfill this photo and grave information. I use Find a Grave often to cross reference info about someone whose uniform I own. Its especially helpful when their headstone states their service branch and rank, as it helps eliminate possible matches.

[aznation]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note:  I had no idea what a supernumerary police officer was so I looked it up. (below)

A supernumerary police officer is an auxiliary or part-time officer who possesses regular police powers but serves a specific, limited purpose. Most commonly, they are private individuals trained by the government but hired, managed, and paid by private corporations to protect specific commercial facilities, banks, or executives.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[aactionjim]

Nice. I have a couple YD's (medals)

[Big Iron]

On 7/10/2026 at 11:11 AM, aactionjim said:

Nice. I have a couple YD's (medals)

This is how one winds up collecting specific units I'm guessing...I normally collect AAF related uniforms from the ETO.

[aactionjim]

On 7/11/2026 at 1:32 PM, Big Iron said:

This is how one winds up collecting specific units I'm guessing...I normally collect AAF related uniforms from the ETO.

I don't know whats wrong with me. I start with one and end up with 100. I;m running out of room collecting. But it's fun. I like when I get a real deal and not even know it until later. There is a site called The War Front that has quite a few good deals on things.