I was traveling yesterday so this was delayed until today.

My grandfather was in the U.S. Army, 89th Division, 340th Field Artillery, 164th Field Artillery Brigade in WWI. The 89th saw action at Saint-Mihiel and at Meuse-Argonne. They were at Stenay, France on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918.

Below are a few of the things he brought home from the War and occupation of Germany, post war.



The flag at the back of the desk is my grandfather's. I never knew him. He was killed in a car wreck in the early 50s while on a fishing trip to Minnesota. It's a 48-star flag; his death was before Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union.

On the right is my grandfather's helmet. The "Rolling W" insignia of the 89th Division is highly visible. The 89th was AKA the "Middle West Division." The center of the "W" is painted red. That signified "artillery." I believe a white center was infantry. Don't know all the other color schemes.

The German helmet is, I believe, is a Model 1916 Stahlhelm (steel helmet) with the 1918 camouflage paint pattern. Interestingly, my grandfather and this soldier, both had their names printed in the exact same place inside their helmets.

The bayonet in front of the flag is a cruciform model from a French Lebel 1886 rifle. I recall from research I did earlier that the Geneva Convention outlawed the cruciform bayonet.

The belt buckle is German. It says "Gott Mit Uns (God with us).

I address the artillery shell below.



Close up of my grandfather's helmet, and a better view of the bayonet.



The German helmet and belt buckle. Sorry the image of the buckle isn't clear. If any really want to see it better, say so, and I'll take another picture.



The inert shell is a 37mm from a Hotchkiss gun. It is engraved for Armistice Day. Certainly one of my most treasured possessions.

I've got some other things as well, including a collection of colorized picture post cards. They are photos from the Saint-Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne areas of France printed out with a place for a note to loved ones at home. Some of the cards were sent to family and preserved, others just saved and brought home. Kind of a neat one is of Gen. Pershing speaking to American soldiers in an un-named village. BTW, CO of the 89th Division was Maj. General Leonard Wood.

Very cool! I like how you are displaying instead of storing in a box.

That’s an amazing bunch of history!