Chris Liontas

**looks to the left**

**looks to the right**

**checks watch**

Echo

ECHO

Echo

Echo

:cheeky:

Same. Cited in orders seems to be the magic to get a SS in the 30's. I have had several groups, with SS Citations, but without the SS. I was not always sure if this was due to oversight/not caring by the vet, or a denial via orders.

I had never heard of soldiers wounded getting the SS though. The SS is a fairly distinct award even around teh Chateau Thierry timeframe. Several Marine groups I have seen containing multiple SS citations, include indivisual SS for the actions mentioned. Each citation was given for a specific act of gallentry not deserving the DSC. These were all earned in the Bealleau Wood fight also, makeing a "blanket" award to wounded Doughboys at that timeframe suspect in my mind.

No one likes a tease Chris :)

Well whenever you get this excited I know it is going to be something good. Hints at all?? :)

Other view

Thought I would share a photo of my old display wall to the US 32nd Division in WWI. Most of the tunics are named to recipients.

OS stripes

Another tunic, belonging to Arthur Schaap 126th Infantry. Arthur went big with his 32nd SSI, which I am betting is post war around 1919, placed in Michigan for parades (etc). His SSI and Discharge sripe are the same white, individual, well placed stiches. His OS stripes are black thread and sewn in a different manner. Arthur would have placed these on in the hospital, as he was wounded twice right at the end of the 32nd's operations in the Argonne.

The OS stripes look like they are a greenish thread again, but different from the trade patch. It would make sense since Frank would have had one OS stripe, then replaced it with the two conjoined (rather than just add another)

SSI

Frank's trade patch is sewn in green (!) criss cross pattern. However, his SSI is sewn in individual black stitches by hand (and looks to be cut from German red uniform material)

Chris,

A few photos of mine for example. These tunics have been around and in collection since the early 70's, and were bought originally from the families; so I doubt they have been tampered with in any way. Each displays a different sewing style to every part of the uniform. It seems, troops would sew their insignia on in several stages, rank, OS stripes, SSI/discharge. So possibly, you can have three to four different thread types on one tunic.

The first set is PVT Frank Kudingo, 2nd Wisconsin then 107th Sanitary Train, 32nd Division

Looks awesome Chris. I wish I could have been there. What is the condition of all the little villages around Montfaucon? Were places like Gesnes ever rebuilt?

Thanks a ton for the photos!!!

Love the patch Chris. The 4th ID seemed to really get into the embroidery on their patches. Really works of art.

Hi,

I have a great new tunic with 5 badges

1) Sgt Stripe Left arm

2) 4th Div patch

3) 2 overseas stripes

4) Wound stripe

5) Red discharge chevron.

1)-3) were sewn on by the same person, someone who knew how to use a needle, with a series of "XXXXXXX" stiches.

4)-5) are done in clumsy stiches.

I assume this is more or less logical? A SGT just post war having the patch, sgt stripes and overseas chevrons done at the local tailor, then adding a wound and discharge stripe later?

Thanks

Chris

Hey Chris!

No problem with that in my opinion. I have several patched tunics with different stiches on them. The discharge strip was not even put on in some cases until 1919, so the overseas stripes (and wound) would most likely be different.

Lets see this tunic! :)

Greeat cap with a great history! Amazing you were able to find the family also. Pieces like this make it all worthwhile.

Looks like U-557 had an amazing short career. Six merchants and one British Cruiser sunk for a total of over 31,000 tonnes. She was rammed by an Italian E-boat of all things and sunk. Tragic end to a brave crew

Well, just for you "Observer" lovers!

Darrell, is there anything you don't collect! Great set guy!

Tim

Nice photo!!! What program did you use to do this? Looks great!!

rofl!!

Very nice!!! The Luftwaffe Observer badge was so well designed.

Nice shot of the eagle on the 1st uniform. Looks like an earlier one. Any date on the photo Robert? :)

WOW!!! Beautiful!

Glass scratches glass. in fact quartz will scratch glass.

LOL!! SSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! :cheeky:

AWESOME post!! Thanks Rick!! :)

Amazing medal Scott! 32nd Division WW2 PH's are as rare as rare gets. I know several guys in Wisconsin that have been looking for years with no success. Amazing find!

Excellent medal Prosper! So the Free French forces actually awarded this to Vichy? I would not have thought this. Is is hard to find the Vichy version of the medal?