Original U.S. WWI US Army 88th Division Medic’s Private Purchase Uniform Jacket - “Clover Leaf Division”

Original Item: Only One Available: This is a wonderful private purchase M1917 US Army uniform tunic, worn by a member of the US Army’s 88th Division. Initially, personnel for the division were furnished by Selective Service men from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and North Dakota. The 88th Division, like many National Army divisions, suffered heavily from transfers to Regular Army and National Guard units preparing to go overseas, delaying its combat readiness. In October and November 1917, men were transferred to the 34th and 87th Divisions. In February 1918, 12,000 men arrived from Iowa and Minnesota to bring the division to full strength, but, subsequently, about 16,000 men were transferred to the 30th, 33rd, 35th, 82nd, and 90th Divisions. In May and June 1918, 10,000 Selective Service men, mostly from Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota, joined the division.

This example was tailored by Frankel’s in Des Moines, Iowa with the uniform being made by the House of Kuppenheimer. The material is rather smooth and the uniform has held up well over the years. It has US & Medical collar discs, an 88th Division clover patch on the left shoulder, a red honorable discharge chevron on the left sleeve, and one overseas chevron denoting 6-11 months overseas on the left cuff.

The collar has a two hook and loop closure in good condition. This is a great representative example for the 88th Division to fill out your divisional uniform collection! Ready for further research and display.