Hello everyone, here is my latest acquisition and another true "out of the woodworks".
This uniform belonged to Pvt. Leonard Stauss from Elizabeth Illinois. Born in 1891 he was drafted on October 5th 1917 and placed in comany "L" of the 56th infantry regiment of the 7th infantry division. He would go overseas on September 9th 1918. He saw combat at Perry ridge on the 9th, 10th and 11th of November 1918 where thankfully the war would end. After the war he would get married, and move to Galena Illinois where he would pass away in 1955.
In this grouping was his uniform with his rank, discharge chevron, and division patch, his named helmet with 7th division artwork painted on, his original gas mask and its carrying bag which is also named, his pay book, pants, mess kit, 2 photos of him, one on his wedding day and the other with his family, and lastly the 48 star flag which was used at his funeral.
The seller I acquired this from was his neighbor as a kid, and when he passed away no one in his family wanted any of it so he was allowed to take the items home with him where they were undoubtedly treasured treasured stored well for generations.
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