I am attending the
Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP) this week and am taking the
Military Records: From Cradle to Grave course taught by Craig Scott. I've been learning about the nuances of what one can find out from muster and pension records as well as gaining some much needed basics in military history and military organization. Craig has asked us to bring in photos or records for group examinations and one of the photos we examined today is of my grandfather,
Harold Theodore Veith, in his World War I uniform.
 |
Harold Theodore Veith
1891 - 1978 |
I had known that Grandpa had served in the Navy during World War I and knew that he never went to sea but was stationed near to where he had been living in Hoboken, New Jersey. However I knew none of the details of his service, not even his rank or rating.
From the above photo, we were able to identify what the rank and rating were for Harold from the winter uniform he was wearing in this portrait. The insignia on his left arm signifies that his military rating was 'shop-keeper' (confirmed by the keys under the eagle in the patch), and that the three chevrons meant that he was a first class petty officer. Craig mentioned that the troops that embarked for Europe left from the port of Hoboken, and I imagine my grandfather was kept busy in his post there.
 |
| detail of insignia |
Oh, and I also learned that a hat or cap is called a 'cover' in Navy speak!
Options
