RARE WWI AEF Siberia ID Tag 31st Infantry Polar Bears Joseph Fred Vitek

Military history: the American Expeditionary Force Siberia. Service Number: 3049278 (Confirmed Kansas National Army Block). Unit: 31st Infantry Regiment 31 INF. Campaign: AEF Siberia (The "Forgotten" Russian Front). The 31st Infantry was sent to Vladivostok, Russia in 1918 to guard the Trans-Siberian Railroad during the Russian Civil War. These soldiers-known as "Polar Bears" -endured sub-zero temperatures and complex combat in a theater where only 8,000 Americans served, making artifacts from this regiment significantly rarer than those from the Western Front in France. Design: Features a raised American Flag at the top with a decorative "Beaded" border. Markings: Hand-stamped with Service No. Condition: Authentic "field-found" patina with heavy character. The metal shows honest oxidation and wear consistent with its age and the harsh Siberian climate it likely traversed. Lettering remains clear and legible. Why This Belongs In Your Collection.

Identity tags with fully traceable service numbers to "niche" units like the 31st Infantry are highly sought after by military historians and numismatic collectors alike. This isn't just a piece of metal; it's a direct link to a Kansas man's journey to the frozen Russian frontier.

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