Oranizations We Have Been With and Their Insignia
If proof were needed of the old army saying that good field artillery can go anywhere and deliver the goods any time, it could be found in the official record of our manifold affiliations after leaving the States. We belonged to a good many organizations overseas and none could say we didn't BELONG any time we got a new assignment. Our regiment was complimented everywhere it went on the health of its men, its all-around good training and discipline and the excellence of its paper work. We make no bones about being proud of the good old 329th.
During training in the States we belonged to the 85th (Custer Division). This division was Custer's first and best and was originally under the command of Major-General Dickman, destined later to become commanding general of the U.S. Army of Occupation. His successor was Major-General Parker, now retired. Major-General Kennedy was in command of the 85th when we sailed and remained so until our return.
Upon reaching the A.E.F. we were detached from the 85th Division and classified as Army Artillery. (In other words, artillery that must be prepared to go anywhere). In this status we served under orders from the 4th, 5th and 6th Army Corps. This was during our period of training at Camp Coetquidan.
At the front our regiment was divided, the 1st Battalion being attached to the 7th Division and the 2nd Battalion to the 28th Division. Thus it was that the 1st Battalion saw action with the 20th F.A. regiment, Colonel Paynes commanding, and the 2nd Battalion strafed the Hun with the 341st Field Artillery, Colonel Davis commanding.
When we moved to Pont-a-Mousson, after the armistice, the 6th Army Corps again took us under its wing. But presently we were reattached as a unit to the 7th Division and remained under that command until February 1st, 1919, when we were attached to the 91st Division "for return to the United States." O joyful sound!
But we were not destined to go home with the "Wild West" Division. Upon reaching St. Calais on our homeward journey, we were returned to our parent Division---the 85th--- and proceeded on our way rejoicing. The reason for this last move was said to be the excellent condition of the records of our brigade.
85th Division--Regular Army of Michigan and Wisconsin. Insignia: Red CD. Known as Custer Division. Activities: Part of the infantry served in Russia, and part saw action at the Thiaucourt and Pouvenelle sectors. Artillery, rated among the best; 329th saw nine days' action in Thiaucourt and Pouvenelle sectors; 328th, eleven days in Toul sector; 330th did not see action.
7th Division--Regular Army. Insignia: Two triangles in black on red base. Design supposed to have been developed out of numeral seven, one numeral up and the other down. Activities: October 9th to November 11th in Pouvenelle sector and ditto sector extended.
28th Division--National Guard of Pennsylvania. Insignia: Keystone of red cloth. Activities: June 30th to November 11th, sector southeast of Chateau-Thierry, Vesle sector, Argonne-Meuse offensive, and Thiaucourt sector.
91st Division--National Army of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. Insignia: Green fir tree---emblematic of the far west. Known as "Wild West" Division. Activities: September 20th to November 11th, Argonne-Meuse offensive, Belgium.
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