Original Items. One-of-a-Kind. This is an extensive WWI uniform grouping named to Corporal Jesse L. Christian, Company M, 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Division, AEF. The grouping is in overall very rough shape, having been saved from poor storage in a defunct museum. In the pocket of the uniform is a small bag with captured items taken off of a German soldier.

The grouping includes:

● Christian’s uniform jacket, which is in very rough condition. It is double-patched, with patches for the 90th Division and 3rd Army of Occupation. There is a Corporal rate on his right sleeve, two overseas chevrons for 12-17 months overseas, and all rare vegetable ivory buttons, one of which has fallen off and is in the pocket. There are no collar discs on the uniform, and there is very heavy fraying across the collar and back of the uniform.
● A small bag of German souvenirs found in the pocket of the uniform. In this bag are seven German uniform buttons of varying type, three projectiles from German cartridges, a German pocket knife rusted shut with an iron cross and GOTT MIT UNS, a small E pin, and his red discharge chevron. This is a fantastic little bag of pieces he collected himself!!!
● Christian’s Breeches with belt, in good overall shape.
Christian’s M1911 Campaign hat in rough shape, missing the cord, chinstrap, and sweatband. Roughly size 6⅞.
● Christian’s overseas cap with heavy mothing and a small U.S. Infantry pin.
● A Frame containing Christian’s Pay book, its cover, and a set of the April 1919 General Orders for the 90th Division, several pages behind it. The frame measures 16x15.5”.
● One Puttee wrapped up.
● What appears to be a uniform cord either painted gold or made in gold-colored rope. Strange piece.
● Christian’s cap for the U.S.A. Veterans of World War I, with a VWWI patch, a PAST COMMANDER patch, 2 small pins, and a name tag reading J.L. CHRISTIAN. For South Antelope Valley, California.
● Letter sent to Christian from the US Veterans Bureau regarding his Compensation, 1925 dated.
● 1970 Dated ritual book for the Veterans of WWI association.
Copy of photo of Company M, 359th Infantry
● Small biography on Christian’s life.

Jesse Lee Christian was born on May 17th, 1895, in Cleburne, Texas. He worked as a farmer during his early years, and was living in Pittsburg, Texas when he was drafted on October 8th, 1917. He was assigned to Company M of the 359th Infantry Regiment, going overseas as a Corporal on June 20th, 1918. While overseas, Christian would see fierce fighting in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives. A small printed biography included with the group mentions he was wounded in action, however he does not have a wound chevron on his uniform. Christian returned stateside on May 27th, 1919, and was discharged on June 24th, 1919. He would work as a teacher for the rest of his life, teaching in Hooks, Texas before moving to California and teaching there for many years, passing away there in Los Angeles, California, on July 27th, 1985, at the age of 90.

This is a very extensive grouping for a rare division in rough shape, but is still great to be found together after 105 years. This group is ready for further research and display.

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5"
Shoulder to sleeve: 21.5”
Shoulder to shoulder: 13.5”
Chest width: 17"
Waist width: 15.5"
Hip width: 19"
Front length: 31"

Pants:
Waist: 14"
Inseam: 24"