Fabulous WWI 2nd Division Artillery Combat General Albert J. Bowley Uniforms, Headgear, & Artifacts.

Fabulous WWI 2nd Division Artillery Combat General Albert J. Bowley Uniforms, Headgear, & Artifacts Grouping

This is a wonderful grouping of choice artifacts of eventual Lt. General Albert J. Bowley, WWI Commander of the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Division, which was essentially the Field Artillery for the 23rd Infantry, AND the 4th Marine Brigade, providing the latter with direct support in Chateau-Thierry.

During WWI Bowley commanded the 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, and VI Corps Artillery, attaining the rank of Brigadier General in 1918, and receiving the Distinguished Service Medal.

Citation for Distinguished Service Medal:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Albert J. Bowley, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. General Bowley commanded the 17th Field Artillery, and later the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade, in the active operations from July to November 1918. The artillery support under his direction in the engagements near Chateau-Thierry, near Soissons, those in the St. Mihiel salient, Blanc Mont Ridge, and in the Meuse-Argonne region were important factors in the great successes gained.

The earliest piece in this grouping actually involves yet another General: Major General Frederick D. Grant. In the early 00’s Bowley was Grant’s Aide-de Camp, and there is a 1906 copy of REPORT of the CAMP OF INSTRUCTION held in the DEPARTMENT OF THE EAST by General Grant, inscribed by Grant to then-Captain Bowley with warmest regards.

Prior to WWI, Bowley was the Military Attaché to China. From this period the 

A silver topped swagger stick of steamed horn, missing the tip. The top has 4 large Chinese characters around the outside with a “B” engraved in the top. I will have my wife look at these eventually to translate them. Most likely "Good Luck" or something like that.

From Bowley’s WWI service the grouping contains:

Well made Field desk boldly named to BRIG. GEN. A. J. BOWLEY.

Fine English Leather Map Case nicely named on exterior: Brig. General A. J. Bowley.

Fantastic French Made Brigadier General Car tag in heavy enameled steel with painted star on each side.

Beautiful Officer's Campaign Hat with gold braid and general's star, By Stetson.

Doughboy helmet with 6th Corps insignia on front and General star above.

Finely tailored Khaki Summer Weight general's tunic by E Tautz & Sons, London, with English made collar Brass, buttons, General Stars, and 6th Corps Patch (4 overseas stripes). Brig. Gen'l. Albert Bowley USA beautifully inked on label. Very nice condition with only some very small light soiling on back and a couple of tiny wear spots.

Rugged Heavy Olive Green general's tunic & Jodhpurs with bullion brig Gen stars and US made insignia and lovely French Made 2nd Division HQ patch. 3 overseas stripes. Unnamed, but clearly part of the grouping. Some moth tracking, but very presentable. Bowley's "combat" uniform.

Sam Brown Belt.

Finely cobbled brown leather ankle boots.

Brown leather leggings.

From Bowley's tenure as Commander of the Hawaiian Davison in the 1930's there  

Bowley's Car Tag as Commander of Schofield Barracks in painted stamped steel reading "SCHO  1  BKS".

An odd wooden box top with brass handle with paper tag reading "For Major General Albert J. Bowley Commanding Officer of the US Army Station at Honolulu, Hawaii Island".

This grouping would make a wonderful addition to any AEF collection, or General Officer collection, and is filled with many unique and one-of-a-kind artifacts.