Author: Jessica A. Bandel
The olive drab tunic and trousers shown at right served as the standard-issue uniform for the United States Army during the First World War. Whether the soldier be an electrician, engineer, infantryman, cavalryman, recruiter, or corpsman, he wore the same basic wool field uniform as everyone else in the army. Collar discs, patches, and other pieces of insignia adorning the uniform served to distinguish the rank, unit designation, and corps assignment of individual soldiers.
This particular uniform was worn by Charlotte-born corpsman William D. Berryhill, who enlisted in late May 1918 at the age of nineteen. Five months later, the young man was serving in France with Base Hospital 65, a medical unit comprised mainly of North Carolina volunteers. His uniform tells much of the story of his war service. Caduceus collar discs signify Berryhill’s attachment to the Medical Corps of the army. The burgundy patch on the left shoulder is the unit patch for Base Hospital 65. The faded red chevron located just below it represents Berryhill’s honorable discharge from the service. Towards the cuff of his left sleeve, two service chevrons—each representing six months of overseas service—are carefully sewn to the wool.
Berryhill returned to the United States in July 1919 and received an honorable discharge from the service that same month. By the end of his military career, he had attained the rank of private first class.