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  • /Lot 1462

Lot 1462:WWI Tank Officer Tunic/Cap, Labeled to Meuse-Argonne DSC Winner

September 8th, 2018|Rock Island, IL
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  • /Lot 1462

Lot 1462:WWI Tank Officer Tunic/Cap, Labeled to Meuse-Argonne DSC Winner

September 8th, 2018|Rock Island, IL
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Estimated Price$2,000 - $4,000
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Tunic and Cap for a World War I Distinguished Service Cross Winner Tank Officer Labeled to Newell Weed of the 326th Tank Battalion

Constructed from olive twill fabric, the tunic is adorned on each side of the collar with a tombak "U.S." pin and a bronze tank set in a wreath, with a set of captain's bars on the shoulders, tricolor yellow/red/blue triangle patch (no numbers or armor insignia) and a single overseas service chevron on the left sleeve, and a set of three ribbons on the left breast; the Distinguished Service Cross, the World War I Victory Medal (w/two stars) and the French Croix de Guerre (w/one bronze star). The interior is labeled "KIRSCHBAUM CLOTHES/TAILORED FOR/STERN BROS./NEW YORK" on the exterior of the left pocket, with a second Kirschbaum label addressed to "Mr. Newell Weed" inside the pocket. Research indicates the existence of one Newell Phipps Weed; born in Brooklyn in 1892, he joined the New Jersey National Guard as a cavalryman in 1913 and earned a commission with the regular Army in 1917. In 1918, he was recruited by American armor legend George S. Patton to join the American Expeditionary Force Tank Corps, commanding Company B, First Battalion (later renumbered the 326th). Geared up with French-made Renault light tanks, the 326th met the enemy during the Meuse-Argonne Campaign, where Weed would earn his DSC. The citation notes him as moving 300 yards in advance of his tanks on foot to reconnoiter passage, briefly falling into enemy hands, and making good his escape by signaling one of his Renaults in spite of threat of summary execution. Afterward he would sneak out of the ambulance taking him away from the front due to poison gas exposure, walk 3 miles back to the battlefield, commandeer a tank and went right back into the fight. Captain Weed's post-war activities are unknown. Included with the tunic is a very rare unlabeled cap with the piping of the tank forces, decorated with red, yellow and blue piping about the crown, fitted with a set of captain's bars and a tank emblem on the front left, and fitted with a leather sweatband.

ConditionVery good, with a few light stains and holes. A fine American Expeditionary Force set attributed to one of the pioneers of American armor.
Details
TypeOther
ClassOther

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views1841
Catalog page232
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