Original U.S. WWI 89th Division Field Artillery Named Private Purchase Uniform Jacket & Trousers by A.B. Kirschbaum of New York

Original Item. Only One Available. The 89th Division was one of the National Army divisions, meaning it was made up primarily of men drafted from the states of Missouri and Kansas, but also included men from Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, and New Mexico. The 89th Division was officially activated in August 1917, four months after the American entry into World War I, at Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kansas, under the command of Major General Leonard Wood, formerly the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Initial drafts of enlisted men came from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and South Dakota. The division, now commanded by Major General William M. Wright, was sent overseas to join the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) in the final stages of World War I, which ended on November 11, 1918, due to the Armistice with Germany. The 89th Division, now under Major General Frank L. Winn, participated in the battles of St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Two 89th staff officers would serve together in significant roles in WWII: Division Chief of Staff Col. John C. H. Lee, and his G-4 Supply Officer, Lt. Col. Brehon B. Somervell, who also received the Distinguished Service Cross (United States) for leading a three-man patrol to inspect damage to a bridge some 600 yards (550 m) in front of American lines. Lee served under Somervell in the Army Service Forces from 1942 to 1945. The 89th was inactivated in May 1919, after being in existence for just less than two years.

This is a fantastic uniform set identified to Corporal Earl L. Belson, Battery D, 341st Field Artillery Regiment, 164th Field Artillery Brigade, 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. The jacket has a great 89th Division patch on the left shoulder with red in the center, denoting field artillery. There are two overseas chevrons on the left cuff denoting 12-17 months overseas, a red honorable discharge chevron on the left sleeve, and Corporal chevrons on the right sleeve. The interior shows maker’s tags for A.B. Kirschbaum of New York City, a well-known tailor of military uniforms.

The jacket shows good service wear with US & Field Artillery Battery D collar insignia. There is a note in the pocket reading:

CORP. EARL L. BELSON
342 FIELD ART.
89TH DIV.

From our research we found that Corporal Belson actually served in Battery D of the 341st Field Artillery Regiment. 

The included trousers have some moth damage as shown but pair well with the jacket. 

Earl Leonard Belson was born on February 9th, 1894 in Oakfield, New York before moving to Arizona as a child. He served with the 89th Division seeing combat in the Euvezin defensive sector from September 17th to November 11th, 1918.

A great identified uniform set, ready for further research and display!