This is a priceless (to me) image in my computer file folders from the Carringer family collection:
This photo is from 1917 in Balboa Park in San Diego, California. I think that this is my maternal grandfather Lyle Carringer's Marine recruit company. However, I cannot positively identify him in the photograph. But I do see the boot camp tents in the background.
a) Key findings:
A black and white photograph depicting a long line of military personnel standing at attention in a dirt field. The men are dressed in early 20th-century military uniforms, complete with campaign hats, and are holding rifles. Several officers or non-commissioned officers stand in front of the formation holding swords. In the background, there are large canvas military tents, a flagpole with a limp flag, and a piece of horse-drawn era artillery with large spoked wheels on the left. The setting appears to be a temporary or expeditionary training camp under clear skies.
b) Historical background:
Following the United States' declaration of war against Germany in April 1917, the US military underwent a massive and rapid expansion. The US Marine Corps established temporary training facilities to handle the influx of recruits. Balboa Park in San Diego was utilized for this purpose before the permanent Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego was commissioned in 1921. This image captures the rigorous drill and expeditionary living conditions (canvas tents) of these early WWI recruits. Researchers could consult US Marine Corps muster rolls from 1917, specifically for units training in San Diego, to find individuals who may have been in this camp.
c) Estimated date:
Date: Mid-1917 (May-July 1917).
Confidence: High.
Reasoning: The uniforms, campaign hats, and canvas tents are quintessential World War I era (1917-1918) US military issue. The provided context of May-July 1917 aligns perfectly with the rapid expansion and training of US Marine Corps recruits following the United States' entry into WWI in April 1917.
d) Estimated location:
Location: Balboa Park, San Diego, California, USA.
Confidence: High.
Reasoning: The provided context suggests Balboa Park, which aligns perfectly with the visual evidence. During WWI, the US Marine Corps and Navy utilized Balboa Park (specifically the area that became known as Camp Howard) for training. The presence of eucalyptus trees in the background is a strong geographical indicator for Southern California, specifically the San Diego area.
e) Visual clues:
Uniforms: Subjects wear WWI-era US military uniforms, including Montana Peak campaign hats, khaki tunics, breeches, and canvas leggings.
Weapons: Enlisted men are armed with bolt-action rifles, likely M1903 Springfields. The leaders in front carry military swords, consistent with US Marine Corps NCO or officer drill swords.
Equipment: A field artillery piece, possibly a 3-inch M1902 field gun with large wooden spoked wheels, is parked on the left.
Environment: The background features standard military pyramidal canvas tents. The trees in the background appear to be eucalyptus, which are highly characteristic of the Southern California landscape.
f) Technical details:
The image is a black and white photographic print, likely a gelatin silver print, characteristic of the early 20th century. It is in relatively good condition with sharp focus on the subjects, though there is some minor fading and edge wear typical of archival photos from the 1910s. The medium and exposure style are consistent with daylight outdoor photography of the World War I era.
I requested MyHeritage to colorize this photograph.
This event is part of my family history!!
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