This is a rare and historically significant military grouping from Jim Pollard of Lansing, Michigan, a soldier who served in both World War I from 1917-19 Med Department 160th at Camp Custer to 3rd infantry division World War II — something very few American veterans ever did.
Only an estimated 4–7% of U.S. WWI veterans returned to serve in WWII, less than 2% faced battle making this an exceptionally scarce dual-war archive.
3rd Infantry Division Overview
Known as the “Rock of the Marne”, it was the only American division to fight on all European fronts during World War II.
The division engaged in 531 consecutive combat days, the most of any U.S. division in the European Theater.
It saw four amphibious assault landings and suffered the highest combat casualties of any division.
Key Campaigns & Battles:
1. North Africa (Operation Torch – Fedala, November 8, 1942)
First combat action, part of the invasion of French Morocco.
2. Sicily (July 10, 1943)
Assault landing near Licata, then advanced through Palermo to seize Messina.
3. Mainland Italy:
Salerno (September 18, 1943): Landed as part of the Fifth Army; drove across the Volturno River toward Cassino.
Anzio (Operation Shingle – January 22, 1944): Four-month siege under intense German counterattacks; Division suffered more casualties in one day here than any other U.S. division during WWII.
Breakout → Rome (May 1944): Advanced and captured Rome following the beachhead breakout.
4. Southern France (Operation Dragoon – August 15, 1944):
Landed at St. Tropez; advanced up the Rhone Valley and into the Vosges.
5. Northern Push into Germany:
Crossed the Rhine near Strasbourg (Nov 1944). Fought to clear the Colmar Pocket (Jan–Feb 1945), breached the Siegfried Line (Mar 1945), captured Nuremberg (Apr 17–20), then Augsburg and Munich (Apr 27–30). Fighting ended near Salzburg. Elements even captured Hitler’s retreat.
THE COLLECTION INCLUDES:
WWII Decorated U.S. Army Uniform (Jacket & Pants):
Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) – awarded only for ground combat service.
Multiple campaign ribbons with bronze stars, including European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and Good Conduct Medal.
Five gold service hash marks (15 years of service).
Meritorious Unit Commendation bar (green with blue border).
Army Service Forces patch and Camp Custer ASF Training Center patch.
Honorable Discharge “Ruptured Duck” patch on right sleeve.
Red fourragère cord (foreign unit decoration).
Rank insignia: Private First Class (PFC).
Matching WWII trousers included.
6 Original WWI Letters (1918–1919) from Camp Custer, Michigan:
With wartime envelopes and postal/censorship markings.
Content includes daily soldier life, quarantine/pandemic references, and homefront correspondence.
WWI Photographs:
Group photo of Camp Custer soldiers in uniform.
Several candid snapshots of soldiers (1918–1919).
Historical Significance:
Jim Pollard’s archive tells a complete two-war story, spanning from Camp Custer WWI training (1917–1919) to decorated WWII combat service.
His WWII uniform is richly decorated with insignia and campaign stars.
His WWI letters and photographs provide a first-hand account of soldier life at Camp Custer, including mention of quarantines during the 1918 influenza pandemic.
A grouping of this type — dual-war veteran with both WWI correspondence and a decorated WWII combat uniform — is extremely rare in the collectors’ market.
Condition:
Uniform in strong condition, insignia and cords intact, light age wear.
Letters are legible with expected envelope wear.
Photos retain good clarity for age.
Please see photos for details. All items are original and authent
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