The items in this group belonged to Lieutenant Francis J. Glenn who served with Company B, 302^nd Engineers, 77^th Division.

The group contains Glenn’s French made uniform which consists of his tunic, trousers and overseas cap. There are also several other small items.

The tunic was made by BELLE JARDINIERE of Paris and is constructed of OD green wool and is in very nice condition. The exterior is very clean and free of moth damage but does have several small scattered snags that are barely worth mentioning. All buttons are present and all bear the engineers crest instead of the standard spread winged eagle. Each shoulder has a sewn on, thick bullion, 2^nd lieutenant’s bar. Bullion has darkened with age. Pinned to each side of the collar are an engineer’s insignia and the letters “U.S.” both made of darkened brass. Each cuff has a thin horizontal strip of ribbed green cloth to denote an officer and the left cuff has two gold bullion overseas stripes showing that Lieutenant Glenn served overseas for a year. There are signs of a 77^th Division shoulder patch being removed from the upper part of the left sleeve, but it is very faint. The interior is lined with a brown cotton material with a horizontal pocket on each side of the chest. The collar bears a nice woven maker’s label and also has three hook and eye closures as well as five studs for attaching a paper collar if desired. Sleeves are lined with a white muslin bed ticking material. Liner shows signs of wear, especially in the collar where there is some surface dirt and wear from sweat. Liner is solid and is free of any rips or tears.

Trousers are made of the same material as the tunic and are in matching good condition. Trousers come with the original khaki web belt with brass buckle. Pockets are the “mule ear” type with buttons to hold them closed if desired. Fly is buttoned as is waist closure and both legs have button closures at the calf. All buttons are present. The interior of the waist is lined with the same ticking material as the sleeves in the tunic and show signs of light wear having been worn.

The oversea cap is also French made and was produced using the same material as the tunic and trousers. The exterior is in good condition with red over white piping running around the crown. Interior is lined with quilted cotton that shows much surface dirt from use and wear. Lining is free of rips or tears.

Completing the uniform is Glenn’s leather Sam Browne belt. Belt is in very nice shape and complete with shoulder support strap and brass buckle. Leather is in excellent condition and is very pliable with no weak spots.

Some of the other items present with the uniform are a 1918 dated canvas first aid pouch in excellent condition complete with Carlisle bandage in a slightly dented container. Canvas pouch has two snaps on the exterior flap and hooks for attaching to the web belt at back. Lifting the flap exposes the maker’s mark on the underside that reads “L.C.C. & CO. 1918.” The Carlisle Model bandage carried in the pouch has an unopened brass container painted an OD green with raised lettering on the face giving instructions how to apply the bandage. Container has a moderate sized dent at center.

Also present with the group is a cloth covered leather chinstrap that looks to have been removed from an officer’s campaign hat.

The last item in the group is a carrier for the gas mask. There is no mask but the carrier is complete with sling and string for tying around the body if desired. Carrier shows wear and dirt from use. Flap is held closed by two “lift-a-dot” snaps and is marked “4 WIDE.” The front of the bag has a period ink ID that reads “LT. F. J. GLENN 302^nd ENG.”

Francis Joseph Glenn was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 29, 1886.

When the United States entered World War One Glenn was living in Oyster Bay, Long Island, New York and working as a foreman on a brick laying crew. He was drafted into the Army on September 19, 1917. At the time he was described as being of medium height and stout build with blue eyes and black hair.

After processing Glenn was assigned as a private to Company D, 302^nd Engineers and reported to Camp Upton, New York for training. Glenn was promoted to sergeant on October 3, 1917 and the following December 17 he was transferred to Headquarters Company.

In late March 1918 Glenn boarded the “CARMANIA” and sailed with his division to France. On July 28^th Glenn attended a school for officers and was commissioned a 2^nd lieutenant. It was possibly then that he purchased the uniform offered here. By September he was back with the 302^nd and assigned to Company B. With his Company he took part in the Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne and Lorraine campaigns.

Of interest is a quote from page 96 of “THE 302^ND ENGINEERS: A HISTORY” which reads;

“Starting at 8:00 P.M, 14^th of October Captain Howry with details from all Companies of the 1^st Battalion attempted to build an artillery bridge across the Aire between Marcq and St. Juvin. Material for this bridge was carried to the bridge site by hand for a distance of about one-half kilometer from a large engineer dump which had been discovered by LIEUTENANT GLENN of Co. “B” while on a reconnaissance on the morning of the 13^th. Heavy bombardment prevented the completion of the bridge. About twenty men were wounded during the operation.”

After the Armistice, Lieutenant Glenn spent some time on occupation duty in Germany. On April 23, 1919 he boarded the “NEW AMSTERDAM” and arrived back in the United States on May 2, 1919 and was discharged from the Army on July 11^th.

November 19, 1919 Glenn married Cecelia E. Kelly. The couple would raise two sons.

Francis J. Glenn died on March 3, 1959 and is buried in Long Island National Cemetery in section L, site 22777.

During World War One the 77^th Division suffered 10,194 casualties with 1,486 being killed and 8,708 wounded.  [ad]

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