The “Yankee” Division Insignia

WWI "Yankee Division" Shoulder Patch

Origins of the “YD” Monogram

In September, 1917 a press conference of Boston newspaper reporters was called by General Clarence Edwards to determine a nickname for the 26th Division which had been newly-formed from New England National Guard units. One reporter (Frank Sibley of The Boston Globe) suggested to “call it the ‘Yankee Division’ as all New Englanders are Yankees.” The “Yankee Division” was thus adopted as the nickname of the 26th Division with a “YD” monogram as its insignia.

Steam engine with "YD" marking

The “Yankee” Division was the first to copy the French and British system of branding all unit vehicles with its insignia. All mules and horses were branded with the “YD” monogram long before the use of Divisional insignia was mandated in the AEF. Motor truck units of the Division also painted sub-unit emblems such as anchors, eagles and replicas of the Bunker Hill Monument (located in Sam’s home neighborhood and pictured here) on their vehicles. These emblems were also the subjects of cave art carved on the limestone walls of quarries in the Chemin des Dames when the troops of the 26th Division first entered the front lines in 1918.

Shoulder Insignia

The wearing of shoulder insignia on the uniform was prescribed for all U.S. Army troops, Corps troops and all Divisions by AEF General Headquarters in the following communication {N. M-674} dated October 20, 1918:

“Each division will adopt and procure immediately some distinctive cloth design which will be worn by every officer and man of the division on the left arm, the upper part to be attached to the shoulder seam. Report will be made to these Headquarters by telegram as to designs adopted in order that there may be no duplication. Approval of design will be made by telegram from these Headquarters.”

In response to this directive, the shoulder patch for the 26th Division was submitted for approval on October 23 consisting of the “YD” monogram in blue cloth matching the color of the French Army uniform on a diamond background of olive drab. The original design was authorized with a subsequent change of the monogram’s color to dark blue. The wearing of this shoulder patch was made compulsory for all men of the 26th Division after November 29, 1918 in orders from First Army Headquarters.

The first shoulder sleeve insignia (such as that pictured above) prior to the Second World War frequently had a make-shift appearance and were manufactured of wool felt-on-felt or other cloth in muted colors. Many of these were very crudely made in the field. Others were embroidered or machine-woven. Later insignia would be mass-produced using full embroidery with a wide range of colors.

Helmet Markings

When painted helmet markings also became widely adopted in the AEF to help identify different organizations, the 26th Division was the only one to select distinctly different insignia for each component unit. Following is a collection of helmets with unique 26th Division unit insignia that have not been lost to history:

26th Division Headquarters

26th Division Headquarters

26th Div. Headquarters Troop

51st Infantry Brigade Headquarters

101st Infantry Regiment

101st Machine Gun Battalion

101st Engineers Regiment

101st Mobile Ordnance Repair Shop

101st Field Signal Battalion

101st Sanitary Train

101st Engineer Train

101st Supply Train

101st Ammunition Train

101st Military Police Company

101st Field Artillery Regiment

102nd Infantry Regiment

102nd Machine Gun Battalion

102nd Field Artillery Regiment

102nd Field Artillery Medic

52nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters

103rd Infantry Regiment

103rd Machine Gun Battalion

103rd Field Artillery Regiment

104th Infantry Regiment

26th Division Veteran's Parade Helmet

26th Div. Motor Service Dispatch

 

26th Div. Helmet Insignia Chart from The Boston Globe, 1919

 

26th Div. limestone wall carving, possibly 101st ST c.1918 (photo by Michael St. Maur Shell)

 

 

Photos of vintage 26th “Yankee” Division helmets courtesy of Bay State Militaria and Antiques. Visit this link to browse and procure distinctive and rare American militaria.