I don't know this young hero, just saw it on Facebook. I found his uniform rather unique. My first guess is MP, given the whistle. Anyone else have more info?

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Traces of Texas reader Stephanie Hewitt graciously shared this nice portrait of her great uncle, August H. Pilsner, who was killed in the Battle for the Vire River in France on July 28, 1944. As you can see, he was a staff sergeant. August was from Moulton, Texas, and is buried in the cemetery of the Catholic church there. A heroic Texan.

Thank you, Stephanie. RIP, August Pilsner!

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Facebook

Second Infantry Division is the unit, 9th Infantry Regiment "MANCHUS" is the regiment.

For sure 2nd Infantry Division and 9th infantry regiment. Including he belt buckle. Only things I can decipher about the whistle is; A) he was an MP attached to this unit or B) it was dor NCOs and other leaders as an alternative means of signaling.

Google search revealed that whistles are part of U.S. Army MP's uniform. He was an MP.

My google search revealed that NCOs and junior officers also used whistles

Indian head

The fourragere or however you spell it was awarded to units who earned at least two Croix de Guerres. Honestly I never knew this until just now. Pretty neat. And there were different ones. The French WWI, French WWII and Belgian variations. The one I saw wore the most was the French WWI which is mostly green with red speckling. Some are opposite, mostly red with green speckling.

https://www.6thmarines.marines.mil/Units/2nd-Battalion/History/Fourragere

I wore the fouragere when I was with 2ID in the 12th and 15th Field Artillery. I also earned my Manchu Buckle by doing the Manchu Mile back in November 2012. That was a long ass mile

Rabid Cougar said:

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Google search revealed that whistles are part of U.S. Army MP's uniform. He was an MP.

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His lapel insignia indicated some other MOS than Military Police, MP insignia is Cross Pistols.

Former MP.

aeon-ag said:

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Rabid Cougar said:

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Google search revealed that whistles are part of U.S. Army MP's uniform. He was an MP.

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His lapel insignia indicated some other MOS than Military Police, MP insignia is Cross Pistols.

Former MP.

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The crossed pistols are on a disc on the upper lapel. The lower lapel is the regimental crest, the same as is on his cover.