Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1919-02-27
WAR DEPT. FORBUO
The WEARING OF
SERVICE STARS

In regard to the wearing Of divi"
aional decorations and other special
ammigmiA. now often Bsen In cities. thS
War Department has issued the fol-
lowing memorandum:
Special regulations No. II. War
Department, August is, 1917 (and
subsequent amendments thereby are
the regulations for the uniform Of the
United States, referred to officially -
the uniform regulations.
'The statements by an ofRcer or
soldier that his regimental. division
or other commander has authorized
him to wear amy ornament, insignia
or decoration mot prescribed in said
uniform regulations lis Of no value
whatsoever.
IAN ARTICLES Of the uniform, in
clutinx garments Of headgear, foot
eear. 1ornamenka, insignia, buttons,
AeconnfiOns and other articles herein
specifled, viii conform in the Qualaty.
design and color to the sealed pat
terMs In the once Of the anartermAs-
ter general, who win fgrom time to
time publi9h descriptions and specfn-
cations Of such pRtterns.
1.-THE artirles Of equipment fnr-
uashed By the ordnance department
viii conform to the patterns IN the
once Of the chief or ordnance, VINO
wdM from time 10 time publish de-
sCriptiOns and specifications Of same.
"Mo civilian decorations Or jewelry.
watch chains. Geha, etc., shall appear
exposed On the uniform.
mo campaign ribbon Of any de-
scriDtion, for service In the war
against the central powers OF Europe,
has as yet been authorized by the
War Department. Hence any ribbon
purporting to show oversee service
Service with the allies etc., ig abso-
lutely unwarranteA and forbidden.
"Eilrer stars are worn by general
officers Of the army TO indicate rank.
1.-THE War Department has not au-
thorized the wearing Of either gold
or silver stars by anyone else or for
any other purposes.
Hence a gold star for the first
hundred thousand and a silver star
as mark Of the volunteer are un-
warranted as well as absurd.
Certain articles of uniform were
auth Orized in orders of the American
Evolutionary Forces for oversee
wear, hut these articles are expressly
forbidden for wear in the United
States.
1T has been observed that some
officers are wearing a belt known as
the Sam Browne belt. There is no
authority for the wearing Of this belt
within the limits OF the United States,
and until such authority is given this
belt will not be worn.
Units returning from France and
wearing special insignia to indicate
their unit will be permitted to wear
such insignia until rehabilitation.
Ohicers and enlisted men who return
as casuals or in any way except with
their units and who wear their unit
insignia will be required to remove
such insignia.
This decision was not received
until January Is, 1919. Many mem
bers of the Dixie division and several
OF the Rainbow Division had been dis
charged prior to that date and had
been permitted to retain the shoulder
device. Any such individuals who
read this circular should conform to
the War Department ruling and re-
move the divisional insignia.
1.-The fouragere or shoulder cord
worn by members Of French organi-
zation that has been cited in divi-
sional or higher orders has not been
authorized for American soldiers by
orders of the American expeditionary
forces and is therefore unwarranted
and absurd when worn in this
country"