World War I 100 Years Ago: May 17-23

From The Indianapolis News, Monday, May 19, 1919: Today in the city, a detail of military police from Ft. Harrison began enforcing War Department regulations requiring the wearing of a red discharge chevron by all discharged men and officers in uniform. Another violation of uniform regulations the MPs will also target, is the wearing of the Sam Browne belt, worn overseas by officers but not authorized for members of auxiliary branches of the service such as the Red Cross, Y.M.C.A., the K. of C. or the Salvation Army. To rule out fakers, soldiers wearing certain medals and foreign decorations like the Croix de Guerre and the fourragère (braided cord) will be asked to produce evidence of the award. Local police will assist the MPs, and violators of the regulations will be referred to the United States district attorney for prosecution.