Hi everyone,

 

I'm a complete newbie to this site who found this amazing forum as I worked my way through genealogy and family photos. I have some photos of ancestors in what appear to be US military/state guard uniforms (but are possibly cadet or police uniforms?). I don't know if this is correct place to post, but I wondered if anyone could give me any tips identifying the uniform in this photo.

 

The sitter is Roy McCulley, who lived in Oklahoma and Texas, born 1907 and died 1959. We're guessing that the photo is from the 1920s or 30s, but are unsure. Thank you, truly, for any insight you may have. I have not yet had luck identifying his service in any military records.

That type of uniform was worn from about 1921 to 1926. Buttons went from blackened bronze to gold in 1921, and the collar changed to a fold down collar in 1926.  He's wearing the shoulder patch of the 2nd Infantry Division, which was garrisoned in Texas between the wars. 

You can barely make out the infantry crossed rifles and Co I on his gold tone collar disk.

 

Thats a very nice photo with all the identifying details and because of that it has more appeal which equates to value.

 

 

US Army 2nd ID…too young for WWI so yes…20-30s.  Collar disk (bright) looks like infantry but can’t make out number or letter.

Get yourself a Jewlers loupe from a hobby shop you may be able to make it out. there usually less than $10. for a decent one 10x 

Thank you everyone,

 

All of your comments are so helpful and I very much appreciate the details about identifying information in the shoulder patch and collar disk.

 

I scanned this with my phone app, and I may be able to get a higher resolution or zoom in more on the collar disks with a better scan. I will aim to add this to the thread if I can.

 

Huge thanks again. This means so much to my family.

Apologies for the double post. Just wanted to thank 268th C.A. for the tip about the loupe. My mother, who has photo, makes jewelry for a hobby and I'm sure she has one. That's a great help!

Don't know if you've seen this, but here is his WWII Draft REgistration Card:

 

 

 

Oddly, his death certificate say no military service. But maybe the informant didn't know:

 

 

 

Is there a Next-Of-Kin alive for this gent?

 

 

This could be him, in a 1925 Austin TX newspaper: 

 

 

 

Hello stratasfan,

 

Thanks so much for all of the helpful genealogy hints! We do have his draft card and death certificate that you posted here (I think off of Ancestry.com), but, as you rightly noticed, there was no mention of his previous military service.

 

That's a great idea to look for next of kin who are still living. This man is my great uncle, who died 25 years before I was born, and I haven't yet made contact with any of his direct descendants (but hoping to do that soon through Ancestry).

 

The newspaper article that you posted in your second post is absolutely him. Mr. and Mrs. George Baker were his sister and brother-in-law. This also has the fascinating information about his schooling, which we didn't know. Amazing! Thanks so much again.

I always look at pics that way (loupe) you'll be amazed at some photos what's in the background. You're a Texan guessing. I have some pics from Dallas Love Field that was a flight school in the 20's & 30's there are pilots standing there in front of the hanger but at their feet are liquor bottles. I think celebrating someone graduating. Unknoticable to the naked eye. LOL 

Good luck in your research.