Field Uniform -- 40th Infantry Division -- World War I

Dateca.1917-1919

MediumWool, cotton (lining), metal alloy (buttons)

DimensionsOther (A-Jacket): 34 x 22 3/4 in. Other (B-Pants): 39 1/2 x 27 1/2 in.

ClassificationsClothing -- Outerwear

Catalog number81.5.5

DescriptionWorld War I era uniform in green wool. Includes coat and trousers. Uniform is US Army -- 40th Infantry Division insignia on left shoulder. Rank of staff sergeant with specialty insignia for Medical Department on right sleeve. Also on left arm is a red Honorable Discharge chevron and a service chevron near the lower end of the sleeve (for six months overseas service during the war). If this uniform is from a Tempe veteran, it is likely that he was a member of the 158th Infantry Regiment (from Arizona, one company of which was based in Tempe), which was one of the regiments attached to the 40th Infantry Division during WWI.

Contract label inside of jacket has the following information:
June 26, 1918 Contract
Lithauer Manufacturig Co.
NY/ NY Depot

The trousers are of the style known as breeches and they lace tight at the bottom of the leg (calf) area. Trousers have loops for a waist belt. Button fly closure with metal buttons (probably stamped "U.S.A." or "U.S. Army").

At the time of this update (August 14, 2013), cannot see details of the collar insignia or the trouser buttons. (Because this description is being done based on the photo and these details are not clear.) One collar insignia will have a "US" and the other will indicate the specific unit to which this soldier was attached. The coat buttons will be the standard Army issue of the period with a US eagle and coat of arms.

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