HELP with information or identification on old US Cavalry Solider Charcoal Portrait

J

josephbjr

Greenie
Apr 3, 2017
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The other day i had stumbled upon a beat up charcoal portrait of an old soldier, actually it was in a dumpster in Iredell County, NC. I saved it and cleaned it up & I see a Company H infantry insignia (not cavalry) & He's in his dress uniform as well. But I don't know much more. I'm very interested in learning who this old veteran is, his name, and how old the sketch is, date, ext. I would extremely appreciate a well knowledge insight on. Luckily I found this just in time before the water damage ruined the artwork. When i took it out of the frame I noticed many different pieces of writing on the back but no matter how much i researched I couldn't figure out anything on what the signings could signify. At the very top i see the numbers.. "7 19 32" I was thinking it might be the date? Anyways, below those numbers looks like "Mc Laim" & Below that i see *45 = 6ak" Maybe? But that doesn't make any sense to me. Lastly, theirs the much larger writing in the middle, I see... "McK" Seems like that could be the artists initials? But thats just my best guesses. I've attached photos of all the signings on the back, and up close pictures of the insignias. If more photos, or seeing the frame that i found it in would help, I will be glad to post. Id enjoy the most to put a name to this old solider, & I would like to learn what the other insignias on his uniform represent if anyone knows. I've researched and researched for hours and hours and I can't figure this out. Any information or opinion would be appreciated. IMG_3479.JPG
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Neat find and nice save. Too bad someone would throw that away. Good luck figuring it out.
 

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1st - I noticed this was your very first post Joseph - so, Welcome Aboard! You didn't list your state (or country) in your profile. So, you might consider jumping over to Sub-Forums: Select Your Area.... and selecting location information (i.e., clubs, hunts, finds, legends, maps, etc.) directly related to your state (or country).
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2nd - I moved this request from Help! over to What Is It? for more exposure.
 

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Very cool!


To my eye, it looks like a "painted photograph".


I have a painted photograph of my father-in-law done in a very similar sytle. It is from about 1920 when he was a baby. Also similar of his parents from the same time. The big difference is, mine are colorized.


This should be fun research!


DCMatt
 

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nhbenz said:
Infantry rather than cavalry
Click to expand...

Yeah after future research I realized my initial theories about this being cavalry were way off. I've learned he's prior to WWI and part of company H. But still much unknown.


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He has the office collar configuration but no visible insignia on his shoulder loops.


Officer candidate?
 

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They may all be marksmanship badges. The top left is a distinguished marksman badge (very uncommon), top right is rifle expert, the lower ones could be competition badges.
 

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I was scrolling through a recently completed WWI soldier photograph compilation of the 26th Infantry and I saw this guy.


He started the war as an ambulance volunteer for the French. Later, he was "drafted" into the 26th.


He was in the Motor Transit Service and NOT likely an officer. Would all those rifle badges be on a truck driver? But the photo still made me go hmmmm...


His name is Albert Letarte born @1889 in Maine. The photo is from 1920 so he would be a little older.


Any thoughts?

letarte.JPG
 

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A sergeant John B. Childers from the 26th infantry, Company H, received the Distinguished Marksman badge in 1909.
 

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DCMatt said:
I was scrolling through a recently completed WWI soldier photograph compilation of the 26th Infantry and I saw this guy.


He started the war as an ambulance volunteer for the French. Later, he was "drafted" into the 26th.


He was in the Motor Transit Service and NOT likely an officer. Would all those rifle badges be on a truck driver? But the photo still made me go hmmmm...


His name is Albert Letarte born @1889 in Maine. The photo is from 1920 so he would be a little older.


Any thoughts?

View attachment 1435379
Click to expand...

That definitely makes you scratch your head haha, besides the hairline it's pretty close haha. Very fascinating, but my mystery man has distinguished marksman and expert marksman badges so I'd like to believe he was more skilled to just drive a truck for the military but any and all info or ideas on this aren't ruled out to me. Thank you for taking part in this search!


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nhbenz said:
A sergeant John B. Childers from the 26th infantry, Company H, received the Distinguished Marksman badge in 1909.
Click to expand...

By 1909 it would be considered the Distinguished Rifleman badge. In my photo the insignia has a distinct oval shape bullseye to it witch correlates to the distinguished marksman badge given thru 1887 to 1903 until they changed the name and slightly the look. Do you have more information on this guy? It's possible you could be correct on the identification but I need just a little more


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Great piece! he is infantry. 2nd inf company H. I'd say it's around Spanam war-early 1900's. Do the crossed rifles look like muskets or bolt actions, if it's that detailed to tell.
 

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Great piece! he is infantry. 2nd inf company H. I'd say it's around Spanam war era-early 1900's.
 

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ColoradoCav1, if you click on the image it will enlarge (can be done twice), so that you see it's a 26, and what I believe to be the Springfield rifles on the infantry insignia (introduced in 1905).
 

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