Here we are proud to offer this truly stunning Original World War One American Expeditionary Force 59th Infantry Regiment Soldier’s Pennant named to Wag. Forrest Thompson with battle honors, constructed of wool and cotton. Some mothing which can be seen in first photo, with the original full length tassels still attached. In the dead-center of this spectacular pennant is a wonderful mashup featuring the insignia for the 3rd Army with the “A” being made of bullion, surrounded by the Ivy Leaf Insignia of the 4th Infantry Division. With this are the battle honors, or also known as campaign streamers, where the 59th Infantry Regiment saw action including; Chateau Thierry, Vesle, St. Mihiel, and the Argonne. Also are “Fourth Division” and “Vallendar A. Rhein 1918-1919”. The Pennant measures 27.5” in length, and 13.5” in diameter at the base/top.
The 4th Infantry Division was organized at Camp Greene, North Carolina on 10 December 1917 under the command of Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron. It was here they adopted their distinctive insignia, the four ivy leaves. The ivy leaf came from a play on words for the Roman numerals for four (IV) and signified their motto "Steadfast and Loyal". The division was organized as part of the United States buildup following the Declaration of War on 6 April 1917 and the entry of the United States into the war on the side of the British and French.
The 59th US Infantry Regiment of the 8th Infantry Brigade within the 4th Infantry Division of the 3rd Army of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) was organized in 1917 by transfer of men from the 4th Infantry Regiment and saw hard fighting as a part of the 4th Division in Champaign in the Aisne-Marne engagement, in Lorraine at St Mihiel and at the Meuse-Argonne. In the Aisne-Marne offensive the regiment did gallant service against the Chateau-de-Diable north of the Vesle River. In this action "a squad of machine gunners, in woolen olive drab uniforms were sighted approaching the flank of the 59th from the direction of the Chateau-de-Diable. Cautioned by one of his men that the approaching men were American the sergeant commanding the flank platoon yelled, 'They come from the wrong direction, let 'em have it.' The dead men were later identified as Germans in American uniforms."
