Thank you so much for the help in finding out this info for my grandfather.

Thanks, Leigh! It’s a joy teaching my passion to youth and believe it or not the youth do care. Here’s some recent pictures of a musuem I helped host in our library. I’m dressed as a member of C/502 on 6 June and my student volunteers were working with my groupings and uniforms.    

I will echo what Scarecrow and Mikie said, please share more as its an interesting and not often discussed area of US military history, Thank you, Scott,

Yes I believe Bernard was his father’s name, so must have the correct person, great work Lance!

Post pictures if you like.   I would be interested.

I don’t remember and didn’t have the time to take more pics.

Thank you for your help.   I forgot to post this.

Greetings,   Initial enlisted promotions during WWI often came down to who arrived at a particular duty station first, those who already possessed a particular trade skill, or frankly, those who were deemed as having leadership potential. In Sam's case,  he was assigned to the 59th Infantry Regiment when the 4th Division was being formed. Likely, he saw an opportunity to join/volunteer for the 4th Ammunition Train and possessed the skill set to work with horses as a Wagoneer. Or he at least convinced those looking to fill slots in that new unit he was at least game to try. Below is a August 1919 4th Ammunition Train's Morning report where as the unit is broken up (read: deactivated) personnel are being reassigned or demobilized. It is from this document I keep referring to Sam as a Wagoneer due to the abbreviation "Wag." My assumption, is once he saw he was on orders to go to Mississippi, he decided to be demobilized in lieu of taking that assignment. Getting out of the U.S. Army in 1919 after having successfully served overseas in France was not a hard thing to do.       Lastly, I have attached two images of WWI Transport Manifests (one departing for France & one returning from France). They list his Father as "Bernard," who has a NY address. That may assist in determining if we in fact have the right Samuel.   Best,   V/r Lance  

Hi All, I’m pretty sure this is a repro UNPFK patch but can anyone confirm.  It does have some slight glow on the back but it’s actually a fairly well made patch which is why I’m not certain. Much appreciated!  

If you look closely at the borescope photo of my M1 Garand, you can see heat checking pretty bad. Is this safe? Looks like some of the fractures are deep and could scale off when firing. Not sure if this is normal or not. Anyone know?   Thanks,