Original U.S. WWI 2nd Division 2nd FA Brigade Regimental Sergeant Major Uniform and Medal Grouping with Velvet Patches & Dog Tags, Yardlong & Pennant - Edmund Smith Mills
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Original Grouping. One-of-a-Kind. This is the best U.S. World War I uniform grouping we have ever offered, identified to the highest-ranking enlisted man of the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Division, Regimental Sergeant Major Edmund Smith Mills. Mills was exceptionally proud of his service, and pinned ten of his medals to his uniform. His uniform also bears a gorgeous French Fourragère with an incredibly scarce set of Fourragère 2nd Division pins, one bearing the Star Indian Head & the other for the 12th Field Artillery. This grouping came directly from the family, so we are certain this grouping is complete and correct.
Mills’ uniform is one of the best we have ever seen. It bears US & 12th FA collar discs, a tremendous velvet 2nd Field Artillery Brigade patch with an Indian Head over a star over a black velvet oval, two overseas chevrons on the left cuff, an honorable discharge chevron above that, a Regimental Sergeant Major rate on the right shoulder, and a beautiful French Fourragère cord on the left shoulder, with attached 2nd Division & 12th Field Artillery pins. Finding these Fourragère with 2nd Division pins is like finding hen’s teeth. There is a great 2nd Division pin attached to the right breast pocket buttonhole, and his dog tags are attached to the right shoulder strap (his rank Pvt was scratched out with Cpl. being scratched over it from when he was promoted). A trench whistle sits on his 2nd button with the chain in the right breast pocket. The medals attached to Mills’ chest include the WWI Victory Medal with Bars for Aisne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector, the Army of Occupation Medal (with a very interesting pocketwatch shaped device, likely signifying the long amount of time he had to spend in Germany after the war), the Verdun Medal with clasp, the French 1914-1918 Medal, the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and two stars with an attached Fourragère device, the French WWI Victory Medal, the Hackensack, NJ Victory Medal, the State of New Jersey Victory Medal, an American Legion medal, and an Assistant Adjutant medal on his right pocket.
The uniform has some mothing in spots, especially on the back of the collar, though this doesn't affect the displayability much. The jacket is named Ed Mills on the interior, and the hanging loop has broken off as shown. The jacket has heavy wear overall, very evident of a uniform that saw decades of use after the war, certainly being worn to parades and American Legion meetings on several occasions.
Also included in this fantastic grouping:
- A Riker case housing another velvet 2nd Field Artillery Brigade patch (the indian head has come off of the oval due to loss of stitching, but it still appears great in the case), two more of his dog tags from after transferring units, a French button, four more staff medals from Memorial day parades, a 40/8 Association medal with an Aumonier clasp, and a photo of Mills while he was training with field guns.
- Mills’ Helmet, which is a British-made Mk. I “Doughboy” helmet with a full liner and chinstrap, but the helmet is heavily oxidized and the liner and chinstrap are very worn and salty, very evident of being the helmet he wore through the fighting.
- Mills’ Binoculars in their original case, the case is marked with his name under the lid.
- A gorgeous 12th Field Artillery Battery D Pennant, measuring 11 x 33”.
- A Great Yardlong of the 12th Field Artillery Regiment before going overseas in 1917, named on the back to Mills. The yardlong unfortunately does not have a wire to hang, so one will need to be added. The yardlong measures 9½ x 39½”.
- Mills’ Pocket watch, non-functional.
- Some spare patches and pins in a bag.
Edmund Smith Mills III was born on March 3rd, 1893 in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York. He enlisted in the Regular Army on August 2nd, 1917 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He was assigned to the Headquarters Company, 12th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Division. He traveled overseas on January 11th, 1918, and on March 16th, 1918, he was transferred to the Headquarters Company, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, slowly creeping up the ranks. Mills saw combat in the Aisne, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector. Mills continued to climb the rank ladder until he was made Master Gunner on December 18th, 1918, and after several more months he was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major of the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade on February 26th, 1919. Mills stayed with the brigade until they returned stateside on August 6th, 1919, and spent 3 more months with the unit stateside before being discharged on October 7th, 1919. After being discharged, Mills began working with the Standard Oil Company of New York, and received his passport in 1920 to travel to Japan, China, and Hong Kong for commercial business. He spent 22 years in China. Mills passed away on August 15th, 1990 at the age of 97, in Ridgewood, New Jersey.
This is a fantastic U.S. WWI uniform grouping to the most sought-after division of the war, with a chest full of medals and an amazing story to boot. Comes ready for further research and display!
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