Posted 8 years ago
SpiritBear
(813 items)
It's time to figure this one out better.
William Zavitz, incorrectly spelled here, is one of my ancestors.
This is his dog-tag from either the Spanish-American War, which fits better in terms of fighting-age, or World War One, which is a bit late. (There were a good many Zavitzes back then, so that isn't very helpful.)
What we'd like to know is, which war is it from?
Any help? Thank you.
The chain with it is not original. It is now attached to my grandpa's Korean War dog-tags.
Although soldiers wore ID tags earlier, they were not standardized until 1906. Your ID tag seems to be the typical WWI dog tag. Is it aluminum or a heavier metal? Also, the R. prefix on serial numbers started in 1920. Your dog tag looks like that was added.
Interestingly I found a WWI draft registration card online for a "William Zabitz" with what looks like a small correction above the 'b' in the last name with a "v" written over it. His residence was Marion, Osceola Michigan and he was 43 years old when he registered for the draft. Could I have found your ancestor?
I should add that the WWI draft ended in 1919 and the post-WWI occupation of Germany went until 1923, so draftees were still on duty when the R prefix began in 1920.
Although all men aged 18 to 45 had to register for the draft, If it turns out the registration and dog tags are the same man, I will be a bit surprised that your 43 year old ancestor was actually inducted!
It is aluminium and a bit crude.
You may have found him (our records were long ago lost, I'm afraid that this is one of the last pieces that wasn't taken or destroyed.)
The reason I said WW1 is a bit late is because he should have been in the age above usual (judging on the age of my great grandfather, when William was my great great grandfather.) Looks like you agree with that statement although may have his exact age there.
Thank you for your very good research and information. :)
Sorry for the multiple entries but I keep thinking of stuff to add.
There were multiple drafts during WWI, but only the last one was extended to include men as old as 45. That draft happened in September of 1918. Of course the war ended in November 1918, so a 43 year old probably missed all the fighting but could reasonably have spent his tour on occupation duty after the war.
Multiple entries are welcome save for when I post just as you do. LOL.
So he went on vacation, huh?
Yep, aluminum was a wartime dog tag
Thanks. :)
Well, I'm only guessing about occupation duty. Maybe he never made it out of the States.
Anyway, the aluminum confirms it's not a very early dog tag. I should not have said aluminum equals wartime because the ones just before and after were also aluminum. I just mean it's the standard WWI issue