PHOTO ALBUM UNUSUAL CARVED WOOD 64 PICS
10th MTN DIVISION/ SHAEF/ 503rd E.L.E. Co.

This is a nice photo album that will enhance someone's collection, but it is not marked with the 10th Mountain Division's emblem as the seller stated and the original owner had nothing to do with the 10th Mountain Division. This item is similar to the patches shown in "Seen on the Web" item eleven because it confuses the 10th Mountain Division and the 10th Infantry Division.

The 10th Mountain Division was disbanded in November 1945. Few collectors are aware that the Army recycled the 10th Division’s shoulder sleeve insignia in the late 1940s and early 1950's.

Between 1948 and 1958, the 10th's powder keg and crossed bayonets insignia was worn by the 10th Infantry Division WITHOUT the MOUNTAIN tab or mountain designation. The army activated the 10th Infantry Division at Fort Riley Kansas in 1948 as a training Division. Between 1948 and 1954, 123,000 men completed their basic training with the 10th Division. Paul Thickle was one of those men. That is why the 10th Division insignia does not have the 'MOUNTAIN" tab and why the "BASIC" is carved below it. From the carvings under the insignia, it appears that Thickle is showing that he took basic training with the 10th Infantry Division and then served in Berlin with SHAEF between 1948 and 1951.