History of the 353rd Infantry Regiment, 89th Division, National Army, September, 1917-June 1919,

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1921 Excerpt: ...against the cootie for many weeks and so far as humanly possible to determine they had succeeded. but the inspectors appeared with magnifying glasses. By the aid of these instruments a few were still found. The discovery resulted in the transferral of some valuable medical officers at the last moment and a renewed attack on the cooties until not one could be found. even with double E field glasses. Personal inspection went on to hair-cuts. One inch was the maximum length. Quite a few of the men had carefully clipped their locks to civilian proportions. They had hoped that only a civilian suit would be necessary to reinstate them completely in civilian life. but according to this regulation they would have to outgrow a military hair-cut. No one cared to take any chances at the port of embarkation over such a trivial thing as a hair-cut. so they reluctantly went back to the barber for a "hair-cut" instead of a "trim." The final inspection and the one upon whose findings depended the passport for each individual was the venereal inspection. A man might be deloused or have his hair cut at the last moment. but if he was found to be venereally infected. he must bid his comrades farewell and remain on foreign soil. No less searching was the investigation of equipment. Orders called for. "An actual physical check by officers under the supervision of divisional inspectors of each article of clothing and equipment in the possession of every man of the enlisted personnel." Shortage lists were compiled so that equipment might be completed at the port of embarkation. The painful part about this check on equipment came in connection with souvenirs. Orders had appeared repeatedly since the days of the St. Mihiel offensive demanding signed sta...