Lyle Carringer in 1917 at U.S. Marines Boot Camp -- (Not So) Wordless Wednesday #916

This is a priceless (to me) image in my computer file folders from the Carringer family collection:

This photograph is of my maternal grandfather Lyle Carringer (1891-1976) in May or June 1917 at the U.S. Marine Corps boot camp in Balboa Park in San Diego.  Lyle is the man standing on the left with his arms folded. I don't know who the other men are -- they are all part of a squad training to fight in World War I. He was in the Marine Reserves, and expected to be sent to Europe.  However, he served two years on active duty and stayed in San Diego working in the Post Exchange (PX) at the Marine Corps Camp in San Diego, probably because of his accountant and retail store experience.

I received this photo in 1988 from my mother, Betty (Carringer) Seaver.  The original photograph is black-and-white. I asked MyHeritage to colorize it.  

Then I asked MyHeritage's Scribe AI tool to describe the photograph:

A black-and-white photograph depicting a group of five young men in military uniforms gathered around the entrance of a canvas wall tent. Three men are prominently featured in the center and right, while two are partially cropped on the left and right edges. Another individual is partially visible sitting inside the tent on a cot or footlocker. The men exhibit relaxed, casual body language, with arms crossed or resting on their knees. The setting appears to be a sunlit military encampment with a wooden boardwalk or ramp leading into the tent.

Scribe AI then provided some historical background:

This photograph captures US Marines during the immediate mobilization phase following the United States' entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. The rapid influx of recruits necessitated temporary housing, resulting in sprawling tent cities at training bases. The relaxed posture of the men suggests a moment of downtime between drills. Research Tips: To verify the subjects, genealogists should search US Marine Corps muster rolls for May 1917, specifically looking for 'Lyle Carringer'. Local historical archives in San Diego (such as the San Diego History Center, which houses the Carringer family collection) would likely contain corroborating records or the original physical photograph.

Scribe AI provided Visual clues:

• Uniforms: The men are wearing early 20th-century US military field uniforms, consisting of button-up shirts, trousers, and canvas leggings (puttees) over leather boots.
• Headgear: They are wearing 'Montana Peak' campaign hats. Crucially, the hats on the right feature the distinctive Eagle, Globe, and Anchor (EGA) emblem, identifying them as United States Marines.
• Camp Equipment: A standard military canvas wall tent is pitched over a wooden platform. Inside, a wooden footlocker or crate and a metal-framed cot are visible.
• Environment: The harsh shadows indicate bright, direct sunlight, suggesting a warm climate or summer season. The ground appears dry and dusty.

I love Scribe AI!!!

This event is part of my family history!!

Now I'm woindering what became of my grandfather's uniforms, hat, medals (?), etc. 

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