Original U.S. WWII 1st Infantry Division Custom Motorcyclist’s Kidney Belt with Battle Diary and Hand-Cut Leather 1st ID Insignia - Private Louis Hode, WIA, 624th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is the outstanding handmade leather kidney belt of Private Louis Hode, Recon Company, 624th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, who fought as a motorcyclist with the “Big Red One” during World War II. Hode was severely wounded by artillery in the leg in November 1944.

The belt, which has a three-buckle closure, measures roughly 38” long and is 7” wide at the widest point in the center. The belt has two sets of grommets for belt hook attachments, and one still retains a wire hanger adapter. There are sixteen stitched cartridge loops across the belt, and the center of the belt has a tremendous hand-cut 1st Infantry Division insignia. Over this is the name HODE and under is the unit, 624 TD BN. RCN. CO., for the Recon Company, 624th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

Around the belt, Hode painted a travel diary, with locations including ENGLAND, NORMANDY, N. FRANCE, SIEGFRIED LINE, AACHEN, HURTGEN FOREST, ARDENNES, REMAGEN, CZECHOSLOVAKIA, and HARZ MTN.

The previous owner conducted some research on Hode, and was able to find photos of Hode on his motorcycle along with some minor research documents! Outstanding display potential for sure. This piece would absolutely be worth getting framed, as the leather is becoming a bit weak. 

An outstanding 1st ID artifact, ready for further research and display.