42nd Division Infantry Private's Uniforms & More!!

These are the uniforms of Private Howard F. Cummins, Co. K 166th Infantry, 42nd Division, AEF.

Howard is my 3rd cousin. Some of this was found in my gramma's closet, other came from Bay State Militaria via another former owner who bought it from another of my cousins.

Pvt. Howard Cummins, 94874, Co. K. 166th Inf. 42nd Div. Enlisted June 26, 1916. Served as a corporal on the Mexican Border with Pershing as part of Co. K, 4th Ohio Infantry, National Guard, and then under Col. D. MacArthur in the AEF with the 166th. Was gassed in France near Luneville on April 13, 1918. Stayed in Europe as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany and returned with the Division Apr. 25, 1919. He was discharged May 17, 1919 with a 10% disability. He died in 1956.

1st, his wartime uniform:
This one is a private purchase made by the MC Lilley Co., Columbus, Ohio. Has embroidered 42nd and AO patch, bullion overseas and wound chevrons, and discharge stripe. Disks are US and Infantry Co. K. Hat is private purchase wool and has a US disk. Belt is a Mills type with trench art buckle and is marked US QMD. Puttees are more of a canvas than wool.

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Post War used uniform.

This is a wartime uniform, larger size, he wore for parades and such as he got older. Has shirt, tunic, pants, wool puttees, waistbelt, and campaign hat with National Guard cord. Collar disks are block USNA and Infantry Co. K. Patch is full arc multi-piece 42nd Div, discharge stripe, 1 1/2 years overseas stripes and wound stripe made out of gold tape. Ribbons for Mexican Border Service and WW1 Victory on breast.

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The 2 of them together

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His medals

These are his originals I got from Bay State Militaria

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The engraved, numbered, split broach Purple Heart

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WW1 Victory Medal with Defensive Sector bar

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Germany Occupation Medal

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Ribbons and restrike I had

Mexican Border Service Medal

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Ribbon bar with WW1 Victory, WW1 Victory(unofficial), Germany Occupation

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Muster roll of Co. K, 166th Inf, 42nd Div, 83rd Bde. July 23, 1917.

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In Service flag

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Sewing Kit

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French Language guide for soldiers

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166th Inf. Rainbow Revellie newspaper from May 19, 1917.

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Pancho Villa's gaurilla money

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Postcard book from Army of Occupation

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Postcard book from visit to Lourdaueix/ Saint Micheal

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1919 edition of 42nd Division history

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Very nice grouping, always great when you can reunite a group. Very nice grouping of the Mexican Expedition and WW1.

Some more of Howard's stuff.

Co. K, 166th Inf. Roster. Howard is still listed as a corporal here.

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His Honorable Discharge and a typed transcript from the Delaware, Ohio county recorder.

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Howards listings and information in the official roster of the 42nd Div, and Ohio Military Men of 1917-1918

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War Department letter authorising Howard's Purle Heart and a copy of his issue record

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Approval letter from Civil Service for Howard's disability claim and a VA letter to his widow describing payment of benefits apart from death benefits.

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