Original Item. Only One Available. During World War I, the U.S. 26th Division became well-known for their helmet insignia, which varied between every individual unit, including the smaller and niche ones, which have since become extremely sought after by collectors. This is one such example, bearing the insignia of the 101st Supply Train, which featured a ship’s anchor with 101 and YD painted to the left and right respectively.

This helmet is a very rare example, featuring one of the least common 26th Division insignia to find on a helmet, the 101st Supply Train. The 26th Division was the first American Division to arrive completely overseas, after sneaking in the dead of night to take the boats meant for the 42nd Division in September 1917. They saw fierce fighting, serving alongside French troops for most of their early fighting.

The helmet is overall rough but retains its full original liner and chinstrap. The 26th Division were mostly issued the early British “Mk. I” helmets bought via contract by the United States. There is a name written on the interior chinstrap, but only a couple letters can be made out. The exterior retains about 75% of its original paint and the insignia is still fully visible with some rusting around the anchor, giving a great combat-worn appearance. Under the brim, the letters FKS 6 are stamped in, which is the heat stamp for the helmet shell. This is believed to be maker Thomas Firth & Sons Ltd of Sheffield.

The story of the 26th Division’s individual unit insignia came from the need and use of vehicle insignia when traveling from front to front. The 26th was the only AEF division to mark its vehicles with a divisional and a separate regiment, battalion or train insignia. The “Yankee Division” is said to have been the first AEF division to adopt the French and British habit of painting a unit logo onto their vehicles so that regimental transport could easily be identified at a glance. The insignia began with the YD which became instantly recognizable, but as early as March 1918, units such as the 101st Ammunition Train had begun painting their unit-specific insignia on the sides of their transport trucks.

The 26th Division was one of the very few Divisions to authorize painted helmet insignia before the Armistice. The only other divisions known to have done this were the 35th, 80th, and 89th. Although many men of the 26th Division painted their helmets early, divisional units such as the 101st Supply Train didn’t do so until later.

This forum post gives invaluable information about the history of unit insignia being painted on trucks before helmets:

https://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/280314-aef-vehicle-insignia/

Yankee Division painted helmets are becoming increasingly difficult to find, don’t miss out on this phenomenally rare example for the 101st Supply Train!