{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-complete-3rd-infantry-division-m1917-doughboy-helmet-with-faded-name-on-chinstrap-rock-of-the-marne","title":"Original U.S. WWI Complete 3rd Infantry Division M1917 Doughboy Helmet with Faded Name on Chinstrap - “Rock of the Marne”","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a very attractive and substantially complete original U.S. WWI Model 1917 “Doughboy” helmet retaining its period textured brownish olive-drab finish, original liner and chinstrap, and a particularly desirable painted\u003cb\u003e 3rd Division\u003c\/b\u003e insignia on the front. The chinstrap also bears the remains of a faint handwritten name beginning \u003cb\u003eC. EN...\u003c\/b\u003e, although the remaining letters are too worn to read confidently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front of the helmet carries the distinctive insignia of the 3rd Division, consisting of three white diagonal stripes on a dark blue square field. The division’s official symbolism explains that the three white stripes represent the three major operations in which the division participated during World War I through the signing of the Armistice: \u003cb\u003eAisne-Marne, St. Mihiel,\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003eMeuse-Argonne\u003c\/b\u003e. The three stripes also reflect the numerical designation of the division, while the blue field symbolizes loyalty, steadfastness, and devotion to American ideals. The insignia was approved for the 3rd Division on October 24, 1918.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis shell is stamped \u003cb\u003eZC 40 \u003c\/b\u003eindicating it was produced in the United States, and can be seen on the underside of the skirt towards the front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe solid rivets on the chin strap bales is another method of identifying the helmet as being American made. The liner and chinstrap are present and in mostly solid condition though the chinstrap is a bit fragile. The liner still retains the original top felt pad as well as much of the paper label. There is a faint inscribed name on the chinstrap, \u003cb\u003eC. EN…\u003c\/b\u003e, there are several more letters but they’re too worn to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe U.S. Model 1917 was the first steel combat helmet manufactured in quantity for the United States Army. When the United States entered World War I in April 1917, it had no modern steel helmet of its own and initially relied heavily upon British Mk I helmets. Britain supplied hundreds of thousands of examples to American forces while U.S. manufacturers prepared domestic production of a closely related pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe resulting American M1917 retained the broad shallow bowl and brim of the British helmet but incorporated differences in manufacture, fittings, and liner construction. American-made examples can often be identified through their shell heat-lot markings and construction details such as the solid rivets used at the chinstrap bales.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3rd Division was organized at Camp Greene, North Carolina, on November 21, 1917 and deployed to France during the following year. Its most celebrated action came during the Second Battle of the Marne in July 1918, when German forces launched a major offensive across the Marne River in an effort to break the Allied line and threaten Paris.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn July 15, 1918, elements of the division held their positions despite heavy German attacks and withdrawals elsewhere along the Allied front. The Army’s official campaign history gives particular credit to the 38th Infantry Regiment, commanded by Colonel Ulysses G. McAlexander, whose resistance prevented German crossings at key points and disrupted the advance. General John J. Pershing later described the regiment’s action as one of the most brilliant episodes in American military history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe division’s determined stand along the Marne ultimately produced the enduring nickname “Rock of the Marne.” The phrase became associated first with McAlexander and the 38th Infantry and was eventually extended to the division as a whole. The division also adopted the French expression “Nous Resterons Là,” or “We Shall Remain Here,” as part of its historical identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the Marne fighting, the 3rd Division continued to serve in major American operations including St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the three campaigns that ultimately became represented by the white stripes on its insignia. Two members of the division received the Medal of Honor for World War I service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis helmet is particularly desirable for the combination of its original ZC 40 American-made shell, solid chinstrap-bale rivets, surviving textured finish, complete liner assembly with felt pad and paper label remnants, original chinstrap with partially legible name, and striking period-painted 3rd Division insignia. The helmet’s individual wearer remains unidentified, but the surviving division marking firmly associates its presentation with one of the most celebrated American formations of World War I and the division whose stand on the Marne became a defining episode of its history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686661709893,"sku":"ONSV26CC094","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/9D2EF1A5-E597-4F84-8405-ABC309EE0D4A.jpg?v=1788545629","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-complete-3rd-infantry-division-m1917-doughboy-helmet-with-faded-name-on-chinstrap-rock-of-the-marne","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}