Between the wars, units were assigned to the inactive divisions for mobilization planning purposes and they wore the SSI of those inactive divisions. Another example is the 3rd Cavalry at Ft. Myer, VA being assigned to the inactive 3rd Cavalry Division and they wore that division's SSI.

Another example is the 3rd Cavalry at Ft. Myer, VA being assigned to the inactive 3rd Cavalry Division and they wore that division's SSI.

 

Here's a black soldier with the 3rd Cavalry Division; can't make out the DUI but it looks like the 9th Cav, which was assigned to the 3rd from 1933-39:

 

...The coat is indeed from the Des Moines days, but the 14th Cavalry was assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Division even though the division hadn't been activated. In my original post, note the receipt for the "pumpkin" patch sewing job - the date is 1937...

You have it nailed, MPage: 14th Cavalry Regiment was assigned to 2nd Cavalry on August 15, 1927. Regimental Headquarters and 2nd Squadron were stationed at Ft. Des Moines; 1st Squadron was stationed at Ft. Sheridan; 3rd Squadron was inactive (from September 10, 1921). The regiment (less 1st Squadron) transferred to Ft. Riley on May 28, 1940, and 1st Squadron followed on October 20, 1940. The regiment was inactivated in 1942, with its lineage passing several new cavalry and tank units. The 14th Cavalry Regiment's ribbon D.I. was authorized from June 19, 1923, until October 4, 1940.

...Here's a black soldier with the 3rd Cavalry Division; can't make out the DUI but it looks like the 9th Cav, which was assigned to the 3rd from 1933-39.

As both 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were assigned to 3rd Cavalry Division, that D.I. might be 10th Cavalry (can you show us an enlarged image?) The 9th at Ft. Riley was assigned to 3rd Cavalry Division on August 18, 1933. The 10th at Ft. Huachuca was assigned to 3rd Cavalry Division on August 15, 1927. 10th Cavalry transferred to Ft. Leavenworth on October 12, 1931, less 2nd Squadron (to USMA, West Point, N.Y.) and Machine Gun Troop (to Ft. Myer). Both 9th and 10th were relieved from 3rd Cavalry Division on October 10, 1940 and subsequently were consolidated at Ft. Riley as 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division in February 1941.

As both 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments were assigned to 3rd Cavalry Division, that D.I. might be 10th Cavalry (can you show us an enlarged image?)

 

Head-up-@ss moment - I should have typed 10th Cavalry" because from what I could see, it did indeed look like the 10th's DUI, which is a buffalo. I don't have the photograph, alas, in its original size.

The coat is indeed from the Des Moines days, but the 14th Cavalry was assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Division even though the division hadn't been activated. In my original post, note the receipt for the "pumpkin" patch sewing job - the date is 1937.

 

From another site:

 

Ah, I seem to have conflicting info. I once had an officers khaki uniform from the 14th circa 1930's and it had the ribbon di, but no shoulder patch.

I read somewhere that they were unassigned at some point.

 

CB

Great subject and look at all the good info that is coming out! Since the "Ribbon" type DI's had been brought up there was a total of three that were worn during the interwar years by the Cavalry units. The 14th CR, 306th CR, and the 318th CR. The 14th CR had been discussed already however it should be brought up that there was a metal variation of this "Ribbon" style DI from the 30's that had dual screwposts!

 

The 306th is an Army Reserve unit out of Maryland and Washington D.C. area and as you can imagine it did have some interesting officers within the ranks. Most notable was Col. G.S. Patton. There is a really interesting book about this unit called "To The Regiment" written by a former member that was there during the interwar years and beyond. The 306th CR "Ribbon" DI was authorized August 15, 1924.

 

The 318th is another Army Reserve unit but out of Illinois. This unit was part of the 159th Cavalry Brigade with its sister unit being the 317th CR. The 318th CR "Ribbon" DI was authorized March 22, 1924. In my collection I have an officers tunic that has a pair of these "Ribbon" type DI's on the shoulder lapels.

 

A worth while website to check out is as follows http://www.militaryhorse.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=5152&hilit=cav+division+patches&start=20 the posted images of the three "Ribbon" type CR DI's are from there. First up the 14th CR

The 306th CR

The 318th CR

Here's my 318th CR uniform. Inside the coat is a tailor label from the Associated Military Store, 320 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. This coat always had two 318th CR "Ribbons" on the lapel which is consistent with standard DI wear practice. I'm not sure why the post on the militaryhorse forum states that these "Ribbon" type DI's were worn "only" on the left shoulder loop. Here's the link again http://www.militaryh...atches&start=20[/url

Hummm. I must of not have enough Kau Coffee this morning. My reference to "shoulder lapels" above is not correct! Of course I meant to state "shoulder loops" or more proper "epaulets". Sorry if I caused any temporary KFC is he talking about but so it goes.

 

Mahalos, John

Here's my 318th CR uniform. Inside the coat is a tailor label from the Associated Military Store, 320 West Jackson Boulevard, Chicago, Ill. This coat always had two 318th CR "Ribbons" on the lapel which is consistent with standard DI wear practice. I'm not sure why the post on the militaryhorse forum states that these "Ribbon" type DI's were worn "only" on the left shoulder loop.

 

That's a sweet uniform...

 

I think the 14th Cav, at least, wore the ribbon on the left because there was only that one when I searched the pockets.

Hummm. I must of not have enough Kau Coffee this morning. My reference to "shoulder lapels" above is not correct! Of course I meant to state "shoulder loops" or more proper "epaulets". Sorry if I caused any temporary KFC is he talking about but so it goes.

 

Mahalos, John

 

No, "shoulder loops" is the more correct term and what the Army calls them.

i have in all my junk a Christmas menu and roster 1940 for HQ Troop 14th Cavalry

 

listed as Corporal P Glasgow

 

written in ink on reverse Glasgow was killed on Bataan

 

maybe your guy

 

he isnt anywhere in a 1941 complete regimental roster i have

 

maybe the same fella?

 

That Cpl Glasgow may have been reassigned to another unit. The bulk of the units that came from the 14th Cavalry Regiment went to Europe and fought under separate units: 14th Tank Bn, and the 18th and 32nd squardons under the 14th Cav Group. Only the 711th Tank Bn saw action in the PTO and it's lineage was tied back to the 14th after the war when the 14th became and ACR to watch over the Gap in Germany.

 

Tom