This is my WWI army tunic. It was manufactured in Philadelphia by Jacob Reed's Sons, Inc. The Infantry patch is on my right sleeve. I have a red stripe on my left sleeve signifying my honorable discharge. See comments below. (Click on images to enlarge them.)
What is the chevron on the lower left sleeve?
ReplyDeleteI haven't figured that out yet. I was hoping someone might be able to answer that. This is certainly not the insignia I am familiar with for a PFC, but Ward spoke of his new "red stripe" shortly after earning his "private first class" rank in February 1919 so I'm assuming it was a uniform addition to the original chevron for "private"? -- wg
ReplyDeleteWas Ward wounded? Here is a Wikipedia article that says this is a wound stripe.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wound_stripe
Very interesting David. You're absolutely right. I wonder how Ward managed that? He certainly wasn't wounded in combat -- didn't even go to Europe. We'll have to see if there is any clue in subsequent letters that might clear up the mystery. -- wg
ReplyDeleteThe red chevron (worn point up midway up the left sleeve is a discharge chevron). A wound chevron is identical to the overseas service chevron but is worn on the right sleeve just above the cuff point down.
ReplyDelete