{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-motor-transport-corps-named-sergeant-uniform-group-with-museum-identification-card-john-milton-johnson","title":"Original U.S. WWI Motor Transport Corps Named Sergeant Uniform Group with Museum Identification Card - John Milton Johnson","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: One-of-a-Kind Group. This is an extensive and well identified U.S. WWI Motor Transport Corps uniform grouping belonging to Sergeant John Milton Johnson of Section 2, Group A, Repair Unit 307. Johnson served overseas from October 1918 through August 1919, driving trucks and performing repair work to keep vital supplies moving to American combat units. The grouping came directly from his family and includes a museum identification card documenting his service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Motor Transport Corps, commonly abbreviated M.T.C., was established from elements of the Quartermaster Corps on August 15, 1918, under General Order No. 75. Many of the men selected for this newly organized corps were skilled tradesmen recruited from America’s rapidly expanding automotive industry. During WWI, the M.T.C. was responsible for operating, maintaining, and repairing the enormous number of motor vehicles required to transport soldiers, ammunition, food, fuel, and other supplies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first director of the Motor Transport Corps was Brigadier General Meriwether Lewis Walker of Lynchburg, Virginia, who had served as chief engineer during the Pancho Villa Expedition of 1916 to 1917 and later became governor of the Panama Canal Zone. Colonel Francis Horton Pope of Kansas served as deputy director. During the war, the M.T.C. maintained its headquarters at Tours, France.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSergeant Johnson’s work involved driving and repairing trucks that kept supplies moving toward combat units. Poorly maintained French roads, difficult weather, mechanical breakdowns, and the continuing danger of attack made this a demanding and essential assignment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe grouping consists of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUniform jacket with a bullion Motor Transport Corps Sergeant rate on the right sleeve, a red honorable discharge chevron on the left sleeve, and two bullion overseas service stripes on the left cuff. The jacket retains U.S. and Motor Transport Corps collar discs, a WWI Victory Medal ribbon above the left breast pocket, and a museum identification tag bearing Johnson’s information on the right breast.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Uniform shirt with its original tag retained, marked Size 4.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Matching uniform breeches in good condition with minor mothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- U.S. Army belt with buckle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Two rolled puttees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Detached Sergeant rate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Rare French made overseas cap with a French made, painted, hollow back Motor Transport Corps collar disc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e- Additional overseas cap with later added red and yellow piping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJohn Milton Johnson was born on January 23, 1896, in Berkeley Springs, Morgan County, West Virginia. He worked with automobiles during the industry’s early development and was employed as a chauffeur and mechanic when he was drafted on July 14, 1918. Johnson initially claimed exemption on the grounds that he was the sole supporter of his mother and younger brother.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe was assigned to Section 2, Group A, Repair Unit 307 of the Motor Transportation Corps. Johnson spent approximately ten months overseas performing automotive repair work in and around Toul, France. He was discharged on September 6, 1919, and returned to West Virginia, where he spent much of his life working as an automobile mechanic and continuing to develop the skills he had used while serving with the Army in France. Johnson passed away on June 13, 1982, at the age of 86.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe direct family provenance, extensive surviving uniform components, museum identification card, and detailed history of Sergeant John Milton Johnson make this an exceptional named WWI Motor Transport Corps grouping. It presents a remarkably complete record of one American mechanic and truck driver whose work helped sustain U.S. forces during and immediately after the First World War.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44669449863237,"sku":"ONJR23SWC119","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR23SWC119__01.jpg?v=1771968656","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-motor-transport-corps-named-sergeant-uniform-group-with-museum-identification-card-john-milton-johnson","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}