Artifacts

Men of L is fortunate in having many artifacts relating to Company L to display.  Most of these are in the personal collections of Men of L descendants who have shared photos and comments.  We thank all who provide them as they greatly add to the history and experiences of the soldiers of Company L.

Post War Plaque 132nd Infantry

A plaque was created commemorating the battles the 132nd Infantry participated during WWI.  Company L participated in most of these battles.  From the collection of R. Miller.

WWI Victory Medal with battle clasps
Company L participated in the following battles:
Defensive Sector (04 Jun 1917 to 11 Nov 1918)*
Meuse-Argonne (26 Sep 1918 to 11 Nov 1918)
Somme Offensive (Aug 1918 to 11 Nov 1918)
St. Mihiel  (September 12 to September 16 1918)**
Somme-Offensive (August 8 to November 11 1918)
*For general defense service, not involving a specific battle, the “Defensive Sector” Battle Clasp was authorized. The clasp was also awarded for any battle which was not already recognized by its own battle clasp.
**132nd was in reserve.

A Verdun Medal was issued by the city of Verdun as a commemorative.  Many design variations were issued. These were unofficial French awards and thus they could not be legally worn on the military uniform as part of parade-dress.

Helmet used by Corporal Lee Reuter. 
In possession of his daughter.

Campaign hat worn by PFC John Ardagh during WWI
In private collection of his grandson Craig.

Uniform Artifacts of Corporal Lee Reuter, Company L
In collection of Barbara Metzger
Notes: (1) Chevron images are representative of type in possession.
(2) WWI Soldier Chevrons – Buttons – Medals detailed information.

Overseas A.E.F. Service Chevron (Gold)

Wound Chevron (Gold)

Honorable Discharge Chevron (Red)

Discharge Button, Silver (Wounded)

Collar insignia: 132nd Infantry, National Guard

PATCH:  132nd U.S. Infantry – The Old Second

When Company L returned from France, they marched in a parade down Chicago’s Michigan Avenue on May 27th, 1919.  Company L was formed from ‘The Old Second’ Illinois National Guard and was Federalized into the 33rd Division as part of the 132nd U.S. Infantry.  These arm patches were given to parade goers.  From the collection of B. Metzger.

SS Mount Vernon Sunday Service Program

Company L deployed to France on board the SS Mount Vernon.  The program below was for Sunday Services.  It included a toast reflecting that descendants of soldiers of the previous Civil War (1861 – 1865)  would be fighting together. From the collection of B. Metzger.

. . . And here’s to the blue and the grey as one!
When we meet on the field of France!
May the spirit of God be with us all
As the sons of the Flag advance.

Christmas Package Coupon

The American Red Cross local chapters provided boxes for ‘goodies’ to be sent free to soldiers.  The box had to be less than 3 pounds and not larger than 9 x 4 x 3 inches.  This coupon provided free shipping from Hoboken, N. J.  The sender being responsible for mailing cost to N.J.  From the collection of B. Metzger.

German Propaganda Flyer Dropped From Aeroplane

This German propaganda flyer was dropped on soldiers during the war.  It encouraged soldiers to not fight.  Included were these sentences, “Germany never did any harm to you, all the newspaper tales of wrongs were printed to inflame you to the fighting pitch, they were lies, you know you can’t believe what you read in the papers.  If you stay with the outfit ten chances to one, all you will get out it will be a tombstone in France.”  The reaction from the soldiers is reflected in the note sent home with the flyer, “. . . Can you image such silliness!  It is a great joke to the boys . . . .”

Dog Tag and Uniform Items

This framed collage of item worn by Corporal Lee Reuter includes his dog tags.  Of interest at the upper right is a uniform button with ‘NG’ on the US indicating National Guard; and on the upper left a uniform button with a ‘L’ indicating Company L.  Also note under the photo is a 132nd Infantry Regiment device. Also note the WWI Victory medal on the right with the 4 battle bars indicating the major battle campaigns that Company L fought.  The medal on the left is a 1916 French battle of Verdun medal; it is not an official U.S. issued medal.  The ribbons, from left to right:  Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, Verdun Victory, WWI Victory.  The yellow 33rd Division patch, lower right, is an original donated by a member of the 131st Infantry that was the sister Infantry Regiment to the 132nd with both comprising the 66th Brigade. The bright spot is a camera flashback.  From the collection of B. Metzger.

Note the Verdun medal on the left side, above.
The medal was awarded to veterans of the French or Allied armies who served between July 31, 1914, and November 11, 1918, in the Verdun sector between the Argonne and Saint-Mihel.

Trench Periscope and Carrying Case 

The trench periscope used by Private First Class Harry Shankman, Company L, was on loan to the Armed Forces Military Museum located at Camp Shelby, Hattesburg, Mississippi. This photo shows part of their WWI exhibit with his trench scope and case prominently displayed on the desktop in a diorama.  Currently in the private collection of R. Miller.

Wound Certificate

WWI Wound Certificate text is annotated with the soldier’s name, rank, and unit.
This certificate for Private Walter E. LeBeau who was assigned to Company L.
The certificate is in the LeBeau’s family collection.
Certificate text: Columbia gives to her son the accolade of the new chivalry of humanity.  Served with honor in the world war and was wounded in action.  Woodrow Wilson (Simulated signature)
The Presidential Wound Certificate and the Presidential Killed in Action Certificate were both created by Woodrow Wilson and were awarded to those who were wounded and killed in action in World War I. The certificate was designed in 1919 and holders of these certificates were entitled to the Purple Heart when it came out in 1932. Each certificate was named to the individual and included his unit. 
 
The history of the Wound Chevron is an interesting one. Beginning in 1917, the US Army began awarding the Wound Chevron to those who were wounded or killed as the result of enemy action. In 1921, President Wilson requested that artist E. H. Blashfield design an illustration for use on a certificate that would be presented to every veteran wounded in action during the recent World War. This design was later authorized for use in the official emblem of the Disabled American Veterans of the World War. 
 
The Wound Chevron award was discontinued when General Washington’s Badge of Military Merit was revived as the Purple Heart award in 1932. President Truman signed an Executive Order on November 12, 1952 authorizing World War I recipients of the Wound Chevron to exchange their award for the Purple Heart.
Library Of Congress poster information: Designed by E.H. Blashfield, 1919.
https://www.loc.gov/item/2013650540/
State of Tennessee Department of State, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Library Broadside Collection.
Description: 
Broadside depicting a soldier with rifle and wearing full field dress who stands kneeling before Columbia in front of a flag and other soldiers. Two fascii frame the image. Text states the image is dedicated to Sam White, Private, Company E, 119th Infantry. The image bears a facsimile of Woodrow Wilson’s signature.
Historical Note:
Broadsides were often used in memorium for fallen soldiers. This was especially true in World War I when the medium was used frequently and battlefield casualties were very high. “Columbia” was a patriotic name for the United States used in the 18th Century and is personified here resembling the Greek goddess Athena or “Liberty” from popular French Revolution artwork (most notably Eugene Delacroix’s “Liberty Leading the People.”)