Req. unit ID: Minnesota National Guard WW2

[TallGuy]

I recently received this photo of my great uncle and was wondering what unit he was in?

According to his enlistment records on the NARA website, he enlisted in '41 and was in field artillery.
I tried to zoom in on his unit crest and it looks kind of similar to 125th Field Artillery crest, but I'm not sure..

Also, why would a member of a field artillery be wearing breeches? And what's with those strange leggings?

178984

[LineDoggie]

Simple there were still Horse drawn Artillery units until 1942. thats why the breeches and boots for Drivers of the lead team of horses. The leather reinforced sides to keeo the canvas wearing out on the saddles and horses skin.

[Hellfish]

Snazzy uniform.

[Dominique]

Simple there were still Horse drawn Artillery units until 1942. thats why the breeches and boots for Drivers of the lead team of horses. The leather reinforced sides to keeo the canvas wearing out on the saddles and horses skin.

LD you are walking military history book, your knowledge amazes me.

[dave81]

That "unit crest" looks more like the branch insignia of the Adjutant General Corps, which covers administration clerks, postal service clerks and the like. I could be wrong, but the uniform is similar enough to the present Army uniform that that is my best guess, because that's where branch insignia is worn today. Unit crests (which denote units, not jobs) are worn on the epaulets, or shoulder loops.

[TallGuy]

Simple there were still Horse drawn Artillery units until 1942. thats why the breeches and boots for Drivers of the lead team of horses. The leather reinforced sides to keeo the canvas wearing out on the saddles and horses skin.
Thanks for the info.





That "unit crest" looks more like the branch insignia of the Adjutant General Corps, which covers administration clerks, postal service clerks and the like. I could be wrong, but the uniform is similar enough to the present Army uniform that that is my best guess, because that's where branch insignia is worn today. Unit crests (which denote units, not jobs) are worn on the epaulets, or shoulder loops.

Well, it's similar but I think the shape is a bit different.

[LineDoggie]

That "unit crest" looks more like the branch insignia of the Adjutant General Corps, which covers administration clerks, postal service clerks and the like. I could be wrong, but the uniform is similar enough to the present Army uniform that that is my best guess, because that's where branch insignia is worn today. Unit crests (which denote units, not jobs) are worn on the epaulets, or shoulder loops.Before and during WWII Unit Crest were worn on the lower lapels, not the epaulets. From Fall of 1946 to October 1951 US and Branch disks were worn like Officers do today in Pairs of US on Upper lapels, Branch on Lower Unit crests on Epaulets. In 1951 it resorted back to US and Branch. By late 52 the Blue Infantry rope and disk began to be worn.


Heres a group pic of the NCO's of Baker Co. 165th taken at Ft. Mcllellan Alabama in pre Pearl Harbor 1941

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h222/linedoggie/MP%20Net/noncoms.jpg

Note 1SG rank had 2 rockers not 3 (3 rocker came about in late 42)
69th crests on lower lapels of thse who had them.
Leather Garrison Belts dissappeared in 1942 as well
Whistles with chain were a Leadership mark
Note Overseas caps with and without Branch piping.