The trench boot, sometimes known as the "Pershing boot," was an American combat boot used in the latter stages of

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

, made for the cold mud of

trench warfare Trench warfare is a type of land warfare using occupied lines largely comprising Trench#Military engineering, military trenches, in which troops are well-protected from the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artille ...

. For the WWI British Army trench boots, see

Ammunition boot Ammunition boots are a form of military footwear. They were the standard combat boot for the British Army and other forces around the British Empire and Commonwealth from at least the mid-1860s until their replacement a century later in the 1960s ...

Introduction

The 1917 Trench Boot was an adaptation of the boots American manufacturers were selling to the French and Belgian armies at the beginning of World War I. In American service, it replaced the Russet Marching Shoe. The boot was made of tanned cowhide with a half middle sole covered by a full sole, studded with five rows of hobnails. Iron plates were fixed to the heel. Although it was a great improvement, it lacked waterproofing, leading to

trench foot Trench foot is a type of foot damage due to moisture. Initial symptoms often include tingling or itching which can progress to numbness. The feet may become red or bluish in color. As the condition worsens the feet can start to swell and sm ...

Improvements

In January 1918, Harry Lovejoy Rogers,

Quartermaster General of the United States Army The Quartermaster General of the United States Army is a general officer who is responsible for the Quartermaster Corps, the Quartermaster branch of the U.S. Army. The Quartermaster General does not command Quartermaster units, but is primarily ...

, met with a board of officers at

American Expeditionary Forces The American Expeditionary Forces (A. E. F.) was a formation of the United States Army on the Western Front of World War I. The A. E. F. was established on July 5, 1917, in France under the command of General John J. Pershing. It fought along ...

Headquarters to make recommendations in order to improve the footwear of soldiers. The findings of the board were sent to

General of the Armies General of the Armies of the United States, more commonly referred to as General of the Armies, is the highest military rank in the United States Army. The rank has been conferred three times: to John J. Pershing in 1919, as a personal accola ...

John J. Pershing, who approved the proposed changes. He cabled the study to the War Department for action. Shortly thereafter, the improved 1918 trench boot, also called the "Pershing boot", was first issued to personnel. It used heavier leather in its construction and had several minor changes from the 1917 Boot, including a thicker sole and improved waterproofing. Due to the boots' greater size, they were known as "little tanks" by the soldiers who received them.

References

{{footwear Military equipment of World War I American military uniforms Military boots