#11. Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection; The Post War Years. SOLD

Description

Having had an incredible amount of material belonging to career cavalry officer, Colonel Edward M. Offley, we tried to keep the collection intact for years now, but sadly I must break up the collection in the attempt to move it along. There will be single and small lots, as well as larger groups with combinations of uniforms, insignia, photo and or paper, etc.  All lots offered will be titled, “Colonel Edward M. Offley Collection.

After WWI, the army reduced in size, and many career officers began to contemplate moving on to the private sector or just retiring completely. Edward Offley returned to the cavalry after serving as the commanding officer of the 308th Machine Gun Battalion of the 78th Division during the war.  The early twenties were filled with a good deal of army school time, first the School of the Line in 1921, then the General Staff School in 1922, followed the next year with enrollment in the Army War College. In 1924 Offley attended the Naval War College, and left active duty with the cavalry to serve in the General Staff Corps from 1924 to 1928.  This grouping of material contains two uniform coats that reflect the period, along with the commissions for major and lieutenant colonel.  There is a duplicate for major with rank effective from 1 July, 1920, yet a second major’s commission was issued the following year. Each document is signed by the Secretary of War and the Adjutant General.   Newton D. Baker (who presided over the Army during WWI, and two signatures by John W. Weeks who served under the Warren G. Harding Administration until 1925.  Adjutant Generals are represented by one who’s name I can’t read (signed for Gen. McCain), and Major Gen. Peter Charles Harris.  Condition is fine for each.  They all measure 11×14+ inches and bear the stamped seal of the United States War Office.

The first of two uniform coats is an early open collar 20’s khaki four pocket service dress, with old pattern 1902 rimless eagle buttons.  Typically seen on uniforms of regular army types (officers and NCOs) they continued to use the rimless buttons as they were on hand.  Mainly used on uniforms that were relegated for field use, such as this coat, it was frowned upon. The coat bears no maker label, only “E.M.O.” written inside on the back collar. The insignia is “US” and 2nd Cavalry crossed sabers (early clutch types) on the collars. 2nd Cavalry distinctive insignia are on the shoulder tabs along with early pin-on majors oak leaves. Over the left breast pocket are the campaign ribbon bars for the Spanish War Service Medal, Mexican Border Service Medal, and WWI Victory Medal with three battle stars.  Offley was wounded in WWI, but he is not wearing a wound stripe on the lower right sleeve, and it would not be until after 1932, with the creation of the Purple Heart Medal, would be begin to wear that ribbon on his uniform.   On the left sleeve is black cotton band, assuming this is fro mourning.  The only instance that I could suggest is the death of President Warren G. Harding in 1923.  This coat still has the last starch remaining on it.  It has a few areas where the stitches have loosen, but this is minimal at best. There is also some staining on the left arm, were some substance has dripped on it; it looks as if will come off with a proper cleaning.  I tried brushing the small areas and removed some of it.  Please forgive the white shirt as it was all I had at present, and this does not come with the lot (nor the tie).  The Sam Browne belt was not Offley’s but I have included it with the uniforms as they look a bit naked without it.

Dressed out with the collar insignia for the General Staff Corps, the period is obviously in the 1924-29 period when Offley was assigned to the GSC.  The coat is made of Gaberdine wool, having all its 1912 pattern rimmed eagle buttons, made by D. Evans, Attleboro, Mass.  The GSC insignia are un-marked screw-on types; the USs are early clutch backs. The LTC rank are Meyers pin backs.  The WWI overseas service chevrons are on the left cuff.  The ribbon bar is the same for the above uniform, but this one show more wear on the edges, with fraying mostly on the War with Spain ribbon, and on the outer left edges of the WWI Victory medal ribbon. In fine condition, with a section of the inner lining pulling away from the gaberdine due to popped stitching.

The last item in this grouping is a Field Message Book, issued by the Signal Corps dated 1917.  Several messages were used and torn out, while 9 messages remain.  Used in November of 1926, from G-4, 2nd Division, to C. Gen. 3rd Brigade; the rest being similar and sent to various units. No doubt used in a training exercise.  Very good-fine condition.

Colonel Edward Murray Offley’s career began in 1899 to his retirement in at Fort Myer, Va in October, 1937 after 38 years of active service, most of that being in the cavalry.  He served in several regiment through the years, at many army posts in the southwest, west, Panama, etc.; he saw service in the Philippines with the 1st Cavalry.  During WWI, he was given the assignment to raise, train and command the 308th Machine Gun Battalion, 78th Division in the AEF, where he received the Purple Heart, being wounded at Boise De Loge on 14, Oct., 1918, while serving with the British 2nd Army in the Hazebrouck Sector on the Western Front.  His last assignment was with 2nd Cavalry at Fort Myer, Va.