Post by oskar2ndchev on Feb 27, 2008 12:07:10 GMT -8
I got this off "The Trench Line", the chat board for the GWA, our back-east counterparts. This explains issue eyeglasses in the US Army:
Dear all: following should clarify and correct some info on eyeglasses in a different post. Per the Army Medical Dept History, Vol III., Finance and Supply The War Dept. directed the Medical Department to issue spectacles without charge to enlisted soldiers in April 1918. The Surgeon General's iimplementing memorandum was dated 11 July 1918. Specifications were as follows:
" a) Lenses: Flat , white, round 40mm in diameter
Frames: White metal, best stiff construction, 40mm. round eye, special 0.055 inch full length, cable temple 6 1/2 inch, split joint end piece 0.072 inch eye wire, known in the trade as No. 5468 American Optical Co.
c) Case: All metal, unlined, Japanned, of suitable size to hold spectacle frames with 40mm. round eye.
The memorandum went on to say that soldiers may at their own expense purchase other type frames, but were cautioned to pay attention to the "size of eye...because this is the only size lens being supplied overseas". Officers, nurses, and civilians were not furnished spectacles at public expense, but could purchase them through the post exchange.
There is further discussion of eyeglasses, but it is clear that by summer 1918 the American Optical Co. frame No. 5486 was considered the "Issue frame".
Best to all Steve McGeorge