Journal of the Company of Military Historians
3
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the District of Paris, A.E.F. Dan Joyce
T
he District of Paris shoulder sleeve insignia is not one of the more colorful insignia of World War I, but its form is quite distinctive. The trefoil or fleur-de-lis in white, silver, or silver-gray on an inverted black triangle is steeped in French history. Unfortunately, for our troops, it was the wrong kind of history. Before we get to that, just where and what was the District of Paris? On 3 November 1917, the force charged with maintaining discipline in the Paris area was saddled with the awkward handle “US Troops in Paris,” initially commanded by the assistant provost marshal. In May of the following year,1 the designation “District of Paris” began. While the district was within the operational area of the Intermediate Section, Service of Supply (SOS), it stood as an independent organization. The district was disbanded on 7 October 1919. Now that we know the where and when, what was within the District of Paris? The district contained several American hospitals as well as headquarters for most war work organizations. Quartermaster and ordnance storehouses were also within the district. Doctors, nurses, military police, and Marines acting as military police, made up a large portion of its military population. During the war and long after, the area was forbidden to the majority of A.E.F. enlisted personnel. As with most American shoulder sleeve insignia, the district received verbal permission to adopt the insignia after the war was over, in this case February 1919.2 On 7 February, Brig. Gen. W. W. Harris, commanding the district, sent a memo3 to Maj. Gen. James G. Harbord, commanding general of the Service of Supply, to confirm authorization. He also enclosed samples of the insignia. In the letter he wrote the adoption of a distinctive insignia was necessary for “discipline and to distinguish [their] men from casuals.” He further noted the insignia would be painted on both front vehicle doors in white and that the Peace Commission could not use the district insignia. They were to use a broad purple band on the rear and both
sides of vehicles.4 Insignia approval occurred before 15 February and specifications noted. For officers the insignia would be a “black broadcloth triangle with a silver-gray fleur-delis of silver thread in the center.”5 The triangle was “to measure 3¼ inches across the base and 4¼ inches on the sides.”6 It was to be “worn base up on the left arm with the baseline flush with the top of the sleeve.”7 Purchase of the officers insignia was at one of four suppliers in Paris: 64 Rue Ponthieu, 11 Rue Faubourg St. Honore, 35 Rue de l’Echiquier and La Dayen, and 7 Rue Turbridge.8 For enlisted men the insignia would consist of a triangle of black broadcloth with a silver-gray fleur-de-lis of broadcloth placed in the center. Dimensions were the same as for officers.9 Enlisted men could buy the insignia at Magasin de Louvre, Rue de Rivoli 164.10 This suggests enlisted men were not issued insignia like other units and had to personally purchase their insignia. Col. John T. Knight, Chief Quartermaster, Service of Supply, did not receive the insignia approval by 14 February and would not authorize their manufacture or let civilian contracts.11 The District of Paris replied it had already received verbal approval from Major General Harbord, Service of Supply. It also pointed out General Order No. 7, Headquarters, Service of Supply dated 6 February 1919, also sanctioned the insignia. The chief quartermaster of the A.E.F. authorized the manufacture and supply of the insignia.12 On 6 March, Harbord recommended approval and sent it on to General Headquarters, A.E.F. By 11 March, Major General Woolfolk, General Headquarters, got into the fray, stating since the chief quartermaster had started manufacture (which was incorrect), and Harbord had recommended approval, then General Headquarters would approve as well. He further stated only General Headquarters could officially approve insignia.13 This put Harbord and the chief quartermaster, A.E.F. in their respective places. Brig. Gen. J. M. Carson, Deputy Chief Quartermaster
FIG 1. Embroidered Liberty Loan variation for enlisted men. The fleur-de-lis is white and the background olive drab. Courtesy of Dan Griffin, Griffin Militaria.
FIG 2. Officer’s silver bullion fleur-de-lis on a black felt background. Made in France. This example has a horizontal rectangular extension to be sewn into the uniform sleeve seam. Courtesy of Dan Griffin, Griffin Militaria.
FIG 4. Officer’s flat silver wire fleurde-lis on a black felt background. Made in France. Courtesy of Dan Griffin, Griffin Militaria.
FIG 3. Officer’s silver bullion fleur-de-lis on a black felt background. Made in France. Courtesy of Dan Griffin, Griffin Militaria.
