In 1918, New York's soldiers were ready to fight

Irish-Americans unhappy with uniform's buttons

The state Division of Military and Naval Affairs is reminding residents about key dates affecting New Yorkers during the 100-year anniversary of America's entry into World War I. The release, excerpted here, is provided through the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs via readMedia.

As February 1918 began the National Guardsmen of 26 states who made up the Army's 42nd Infantry "Rainbow" Division in World War I were under pressure to quickly learn how to fight in the trenches that ran from Switzerland to the English Channel.

The French Army had suffered terribly in 1917 and wanted "Les Americains" in the fight as soon as possible. In their training areas in Rolampont, American soldiers began learning how to throw grenades, use machine guns and clear trenches from veteran French instructors.

But for New York National Guard Soldiers of the 165th Infantry, previously known as the 69th New York, the biggest issue for a few days were the buttons on their uniforms.

The regiment's new commander, Col. John Barker, found that his men's uniforms were falling apart. He appealed to the Army Expeditionary Force for new uniforms.

Because the American supply system wasn't fully established, the only uniforms that could be found quickly came from the British Army.

The 69th Infantry had been the New York National Guard's Irish Regiment, and the Irishmen of the regiment were mainly immigrants who hated almost everything English. The buttons had the crown of the British monarchy on them and the Irishmen of the 69th were appalled at being asked to wear them when they arrived Jan. 25.

The issue was resolved for the troops when officers told the soldiers to cut the U.S. Army buttons off their old uniforms to replace the British buttons on the new ones.

Poised to fight

As training progressed, pressure from French allies to rush these troops into the trenches was evident and Rainbow soldiers were eager to prove themselves.

On Feb. 12, the AEF issued the alert order for the Rainbow Division to begin its movement to the French trenches at Luneville for its first combat exposure and practical experience before taking its full place in the line as an American division.

The plan would place one regiment with each division of the French VII Corps, then holding a sixteen-mile front.

Once with the French, divisional and brigade commanders would lose tactical control of their men, conducting the duties of inspection, coordination and normal administration while many senior staff officers continued professional education and training for their roles ahead.

The division would close in Luneville between Feb. 17 and 21. By Feb. 27, 1918, troops of the 42nd Division would enter the front line trenches for their first combat experience and their first combat deaths.