Dress and Deployment
World War I 1917-1919
Dr. C. A. Ross, of Maryville, Missouri, wore a Brodie helmet during World War I. He received the helmet while in LeMans, France. The Brodie helmet was used in trench warfare to protect the head from shrapnel in the air. Trenches at this time were dug into the ground, and the head was the most vulnerable part of the body.
Before WWI the Army wore an olive drab cotton jacket from Germany. When WWI started, most of Europe was at war with Germany and its allies. As a consequence, German dyed wool was unavailable. American manufacturers had a difficult time finding the same formula as German companies. As a result, the uniforms changed from an olive drab to a khaki color.
The standard service hat was made of felt and had a wide brimmed visor with a large slanted “Montana peak” and an olive drab ribbon around the brim.
These standard hats were issued to the soldiers stationed in the United States. Many companies received contracts to produce these hats so no two hats are the same.