Original Item: Only One Available: This is a beautiful 79th Division uniform with a dark gorgeous bullion patch. The numbered & lettered collar disc is a great detail, and on top of that, the uniform itself is a rare M1918 “Pershing” jacket, with the four front pockets being interior, giving the front a much cleaner look.

This grouping includes the M1918 “Pershing” jacket with a phenomenal dark blue wool & bullion 79th Division patch, US 311th & 311th FA Battery F collar discs, two overseas chevrons denoting 12-17 months overseas, one red honorable discharge chevron, and a PFC artillery rate. All buttons are remaining and there is no visible mothing that we can find. The breeches are in great shape and retain their tying strings at the bottom. They have U.S. Army metal buttons and are virtually flawless.

The jacket has a rare original Philadelphia depot QMC stamp with the size markings all listed.

Dimensions:
Size: 4 ½ Long
Breast: 36”
Waist: 31”
Length: 28 ¼”
Sleeve: 32 ½”
Collar: 16”  

The 1918 Pershing jacket is a rare variant of uniform to find, with the outer pocket lining removed in place of internal pockets with only flaps visible. This gives the tunic a very distinguishing look. The breeches are in similar condition. There is no name associated with the uniform, but with the regiment and battery known, a list of likely 10-15 possible identifications could be found and narrowed down over time.

This is a gorgeous uniform to one of the most popular divisions of the AEF, ready for further research and display.

The 79th Division in World War I
The division was first activated at Camp Meade, Maryland in August 1917, composed primarily of draftees from Maryland and Pennsylvania. After a year of training the division sailed overseas in July 1918. The 79th Division saw extensive combat in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive area where it earned the name of "Cross of Lorraine" for their defense of France. The division was inactivated in June 1919 and returned to the United States.

Throughout its entire World War I campaign, the division suffered 6,874 casualties with 1,151 killed and 5,723 wounded. Private Henry Gunther, the last American soldier to be killed in action during World War I, served with the 313th Infantry Regiment of the 79th Division.

- Activated: August 1917
- Overseas: July 1918
- Major operations: Meuse-Argonne
- Casualties: Total-6,874 (KIA-1,151 ; WIA-5,723)
- Commanders: Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (25 August 1917), Brig. Gen. William Jones Nicholson (26 November 1917), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (17 February 1918), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (16 April 1918), Brig. Gen. W. J. Nicholson (22 May 1918), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (8 June 1918), Brig. Gen. W. J. Nicholson (28 June 1918), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (23 July 1918), Brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson (29 December 1918), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (31 December 1918), Brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson (19 January 1919), Brig. Gen. John S. Winn (2 February 1919), Brig. Gen. Andrew Hero Jr. (3 February 1919), Brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson (9 February 1919), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (28 February 1919), brig. Gen. Evan M. Johnson (16 March 1919), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (30 March 1919), Brig. Gen. Joseph S. Winn (4 May 1919), Maj. Gen. Joseph E. Kuhn (8 May 1919).
- Returned to U.S.: May 1919
- Inactivated: June 1919