IrishGunner

I doubt Pershing wanted it to take it apart. The museum placard said he wanted it for West Points collection. The 75mm was old tech by this point.

"Old tech" true, but still revolutionary in many ways. The French first fielded the 75mm in 1897, but closely guarded its specs. Nonetheless, I agree it wasn't for "reverse engineering." The US Army decided to go with 75mm as its standard caliber (as opposed to 3in) in spring 1917 and entered negotiations with the French to produce the field guns in the US under license. French advisers came to the US and US ordnance officers went to French arsenals to coordinate manufacture.

So, no reason to be skeptical Hoss. There were already 75's in the US and plans underway to manufacture them by the time the first US 75mm rounds were fired at the Germans.

Irish

I only knew the supposed name of the US 75 was 'Bridget' #17318 then I saw this post last night, I didnt even know what museum it was at I'm a Imperial German type dude lol!

Eric

I hear you dude! I've spent more of my time pouring over Imperial German stuff as well.

And like I said, I'm embarrassed because this is my regiment! I should already know the whole story.

Nonetheless, this has opened an excellent discussion and point for research. You both have added great info that is helpful.

Eric, the serial numbers are only useful if we can find documents that authenticate the serial number of the gun that fired the alleged first round.

Art, that old photo on the Facebook page isn't in France. Read the caption. It's a photo of the West Point gun in its old display in Taylor Hall (Ordnance Museum) and now in its display where you saw it at Large Weapons Gallery.

I didn't go to West Point; so, I have no personal knowledge of this gun. I don't live far from either Aberdeen or Fort Lee; so, if we can find Bridget's current location, I just might make a trip.

And unfortunately, I don't own a copy of the 6th FA WWI history. Had a chance to get one, but lost the auction. Only by a few bucks. I wasn't happy.

Wonder if anyone has the 1st Infantry Division official history; that might help.

The US National Archives has a photo captioned: Battery C, 6th Field Artillery, US Army firing French-built 75mm field gun 'Bridget', France, 1917-1918

In my experience, these Signal Corps photos are "staged" and not depicting real action. This photo, in my opinion, fits into that category.

Given the anecdote that Art describes about pulling the gun by hand a half mile into position, I doubt there was a photographer present. (Of course, that story sounds a bit fanciful to me as well.) Could the first gun - the West Point gun - have already been taken away for safe-keeping and this was it's replacement named Bridget and posed for this photo?

The paper trail on the two guns seems most important.

Bridget serial is 17318 what number is the gun at West Point?

Eric

Hoss, what is the source of Bridget's serial number?

Art, when you email West Point, perhaps you can get a serial number. And a description of the source documents you mention as the "paper trail."

This is turning into something quite interesting... at least to me!

I'll contact WP. There's seem to have a pretty solid evidence trail. Been at WP since 1918. There certainly could have been more than one in this first action, right? Maybe the other one was repainted grey later.

Certainly, there was more than one gun with C Battery, 6th Field Artillery. By organization there were 4 guns in a battery; 24 to a regiment in 6 batteries. I suppose the honor of highest distinction goes to the gun section that fired the very first round, vice all of the guns firing rounds in the first action.

Gentlemen, I think there has been one of those cases where "insult" was read into a post on the internet where none was intended simply because the intent of the written word on the internet is sometimes misunderstood. I don't believe ralstona intended any insult in his description of US "eagerness". I read it as "over eagerness" by the Yanks because they didn't understand life on the front quite as well as the experienced French. It is well documented that the US soldiers were "eager" and didn't always accept the wisdom of their more experienced French teachers.

There are some conflicting "facts" - some taken from a personal visit to the museum at West Point and some taken from Wikipedia. How about we return to the discussion, without implied or misconstrued "hostility," and resolve this interesting twist of two guns claiming the lineage?

That last one with shot of badges is great

Well, I'm embarrassed to say that since this is my regimental history, I should know more, but I knew the gun existed, but did not know where it was displayed.

It seems we have two guns "claiming" the lineage. One at the West Point Museum as shown by ralstona and one from Wikipedia posted by Hoss. Wikipedia claims "Bridget" was at the US Army Ordnance Museum at Aberdeen Maryland, but that has been closed and the displays moved to the Quartermaster Museum at Fort Lee, Virginia.

A bit of detective work may be called for...

Was the 6th Truman's unit?

No. Captain Harry S Truman (later US President) commanded Battery D, 129th Field Artillery, a unit of the Missouri National Guard and with the 35th Division in WWI.

The 6th Field Artillery was a Regular US Army unit, part of the 1st Infantry Division in WWI.

I'm glad they had a sense of history back then. Too bad the curator at Aberdeen didn't when they scraped the German A7V.

Yea, Aberdeen scrapped a lot didn't they?

"The other guy" ....... isn't that a film??

More like a YouTube documentary.

Fired by my Regiment, the 6th Field Artillery.

Is there a particular order to the display?

I would obsessed with putting artillery next to artillery, infantry next to infantry, in numerical order.

Do you have a focus or collect what comes along? I usually take a look at the unit history before buying.

They look like Cadbury Chocolates! That is the coolest thing I've seen all day.

Slow day in the Coast Guard?

Sorry...couldn't resist....

The end date for qualifying for the medal was 14 June 1982 - the date of the Argentine surrender - so someone working on the island after hostilities ceased would not qualify.

Wilhelmina, welcome to the Forum! The word "Gentleman" in the title isn't meant to exclude women - it's rather a reflection of a general spirit of respectful discourse. We have several active Ladies and are happy you joined!

After having read the award criteria for the South Atlantic Medal, I must say I too am confused about the rosette distinction. Maybe one of our British members can chime in with some more clear explanation.

In the meantime, I've read that PM David Cameron has recently awarded the SAM to the entire Falkland Islands.

David Cameron is awarding the South Atlantic medal to Falklands Islands: The Prime Minister honours heroes 32 years after the conflict by awarding the medal collectively to the islands in his Christmas message.

What stinks about that is I had a SSGT that had permanent hearing loss and situational vertigo from Khobar and could get nothing for it. Disability, PH, hardy hand shake....nothing

Did he apply for disability? Sounds like he needs to contact a Veteran's Service Officer (VSO) at either the American Legion or VFW (he doesn't need to be a member); they can guide him through the claims process. I am certain he'll get service connected disability for the hearing loss at least. If you have questions PM me.

Düppeler Sturmkreuz 1864 - Bismarck's war with Denmark to gain Schleswig-Holstein

Here you go... An artillery Militärpass showing both the 1866 and 1870/71 campaigns, as well as a notation for the Erinnerungskreuz Königgrätz

Given that Chris started a thread labelled "Spoon" I was hesitant to open it.

Yea, I had that same hesitation...

My little Hessian.

Tony - if you are a collector, then I think almost every day is like Christmas. I know I am always coming across items that

I had forgotten in drawers and cupboards. Best wishes for 2015. Mervyn

The flip side is knowing you have something and not being able to find it to save your life. I have several medals that are "missing" since emptying the safe deposit box when we moved from Virginia. I think the wife put them someplace...

Question 1: Actually, there are cases where only one DUI is worn. A) Over right pocket of Service Dress to indicate regimental or corps affiliation; B) On the flash of the beret for enlisted personnel. So, having only one could also make sense. However, there are some DUIs that have both a left and a right - for example, my profile photo is my regiment's DUI - the 6th Artillery. There is both a left facing and a right facing insignia - so that worn on the shoulders the arrows point forward. In these cases, I think a pair is more "collectible."

Question 2: Matter of preference, I think. I would buy only complete with clutch pin, pin back, or screw back. No "cut offs" for me... But that's my preference. Relative value would then depend on the buyer's preference. A "cut off" pin would only be a filler to me and therefore, a much lower value. But for someone looking to display as you state, then you could find a market. In general though, I think majority would prefer complete DUIs.