Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. The "Pancho Villa Expedition"—now known officially in the United States as the Mexican Expedition, but originally referred to as the "Punitive Expedition, U.S. Army"—was a military operation conducted by the United States Army against the paramilitary forces of Mexican revolutionary Francisco "Pancho" Villa from March 14, 1916, to February 7, 1917, during the Mexican Revolution of 1910–1920.
The expedition was launched in retaliation for Villa's attack on the town of Columbus, New Mexico, and was the most remembered event of the Mexican Border War. The declared objective of the expedition by the Wilson administration was the capture of Villa. Despite locating and defeating the main body of Villa's command, responsible for the raid on Columbus, U.S. forces were unable to achieve Wilson's stated main objective of preventing Villa's escape.
The active search for Villa ended after a month in the field when troops sent by Venustiano Carranza, the head of the Constitutionalist faction of the revolution and now the head of the Mexican government, resisted the U.S. incursion. The Constitutionalist forces used arms at the town of Parral to resist passage of a U.S. Army column. The U.S. mission was changed to prevent further attacks on it by Mexican troops and to plan for war in the eventuality it broke out. When war was averted diplomatically, the expedition remained in Mexico until February 1917 to encourage Carranza's government to pursue Villa and prevent further raids across the border.
This is a private very nice WWI Era M1911 Campaign Hat, which was used during the "Pancho Villa Expedition", and during that time was decorated on the top and bottom of the brim. There are many names, unit designations, locations, dates, and other markings drawn on the bottom. There are two medic crosses, and mentions of an "AMBULANCE" on the bottom, so this cap may have been with one of the Field Medic units deployed during the expedition. Some of the markings are quite faint and/or not legible, but this would make a great research and transcription project. Please consult the pictures for further details, as we tried to get all of the markings that we could see. There are even some on the sweatband itself!
The cap is overall in very good service used condition. It is missing the chin strap, and does show wear on the sweat band, however the shape is still nice, and it has a great look. It looks to be about a size 7 1/2 (60cm).
An excellent piece of military memorabilia from the early 20th century, ready to display!
The Hat, Service, M1911 (Campaign Hat) was made of OD wool felt with a wide brim and "Montana peak" crown. There were ventilation holes in the crown with grommets, a silk hatband, and a silk and brass braid cord closed by a knot and terminated with a tassel. Inside was a leather sweatband and an attached chin strap. The Army model was dark brown OD in color.
The hat cords were worn around the base of the crown indicated the branch for enlisted men and rank for officers. The system was similar to the piping colors for the Garrison Cap, copied from the Campaign Hat. Unit and rank insignia were sometimes worn on the front of the hat when authorized.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
