WWI, 87th DIVISION, THE GOLDEN ACORN DIVISION, SHOULDER PATCH, AEF, VINTAGE

Description

WWI, 87
th
DIVISION, THE GOLDEN ACORN DIVISION, SHOULDER PATCH, AEF, VINTAGE
This patch originates from an established collection of WWI patches.
Detailed embroidery on wool construction. Approx. 2-1/2” in diameter.
This patch does not react to ultra violet light.
The Eighty-seventh Division was organized at Camp Pike, Arkansas, in August, 1917, from drafted men of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama.  After providing detachments for replacements abroad the division was reorganized with recruits from other camps, and upon transfer to Camp Dix, New Jersey, in June, 1917, approximately 20,000 drafted men from New York and New Jersey were assigned.
The organization was as follows:
173d Infantry Brigade:
345th and 346th Infantry; 335th Machine Gun Battalion.
174th Infantry Brigade:
347th and 348th Infantry; 336th Machine Gun Bn.
162d Field Artillery Brigade:
334th and 335th (light), 336th (heavy) Field Artillery; 312th Trench Mortar Battery.
334th Machine Gun Battalion.
312th Engineers.
312th Field Signal Battalion.
Trains.
The first element of the division arrived in France August 28, 1918; the last September 16, 1918.
The division reported to the Commanding General, S.O.S., for duty the latter part of September.  Headquarters were established at Pons (Charente Inférieure) on September 12th.  The organizations were distributed through the base and intermediate sections, S.O.S., but the division did not lose its identity as a combat unit, and when the armistice was signed, it was under orders for service at the front and the headquarters and headquarters troops were actually in movement on November 11th.
Division headquarters sailed from St. Nazaire January 10, 1919, and arrived at New York January 22, 1919.
The division had three commanding generals as follows:
Maj. Gen. Samuel D. Sturgis (assigned), Aug. 26, 1917 – Nov. 18,  1918;
Brig. Gen. Robert C. Van Vliet (temporary), Nov. 27, 1917 – March 10, 1918;
Brig. Gen. W. F. Martin (temporary), Dec. 11, 1918 – January 9, 1919.