This is the grouping of Lieutenant Ralph Hiram Gleason, Headquarters Company, 339th Infantry Regiment, North Russian Expedition. Gleason was trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and went overseas with the HQ Company of the 339th Infantry. The 339th was chosen as the flagship regiment of infantry in the North Russian Expedition by port of Archangel.
The grouping includes Gleason's British Mark I helmet which he has painted white for his time in Russia, with Russia written on the top, and Michigan written in Russian along the brim, which was Gleason's home state. The liner is in rough shape and the chinstrap is broken but has been tucked up into the bail for the photos. Also included is a piece of the sling off of Gleason's rifle which has "339 RUSSIA" painted blue onto it. Gleason's dog tag has been stuck to the sling through one of its bolts as shown. Also included is a large likely Russian shell that he brought back. On the bottom of the shell, it is stamped G22.
Gleason was born on January 24th, 1890, in Ovid, Michigan. He enlisted on August 15th, 1917, and was chosen for special training as an officer. He returned and was discharged from the army on August 4th, 1919.
This is an insanely rare group belonging to an officer of the 339th Infantry regiment.