80.08

Uniform, Military, WWI Overcoat

1918 Approximate

World War I Army Overcoat. Material: textile, metal. Size: 18 1/2" W. (across shoulders) x 51 1/2" L. Description: olive drab wool - double breasted, wide notched collar - three metal Army insignia crested buttons along each side front, one button under collar on each side, one smaller button on each shoulder tab - adjustable half-belt across back waistline with two Army buttons.

Worn by LeRoy F. Krassin of St. Mary Township in the World War I Army. Krassin was a mule team wagoneer who delivered supplies to the soldiers of Camp Grant, Illinois. He survived the camp influenza epidemic of 1918 as others went down all around him. Krassin married Hazel Joecks of the New Richland area; their children are: Merlin and Harvey Krassin and the twins Lois (Wanous) Krassin and Lowell Krassin (deceased). The overcoat has been kept all these years in the family's St. Mary' Township farmhouse attic and brooder house.