Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. As far as First World War Greatcoats go, this is likely the greatest we have ever seen. This is a gorgeous Private-Purchase Officer’s overcoat identified to Lieutenant Colonel Cleon Nivelle Berntheizel, the Divisional Judge Advocate of the 28th Division, the Pennsylvania National Guard Division. The tag on the interior pocket lists him as a 1st Lieutenant, a rank that he held until July 15th, 1917, when he was promoted to Major, meaning that he wore this overcoat during his entire service overseas, up through his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and back stateside. The greatcoat also retains its extremely scarce original hood, an accessory that most people don’t even know existed due to its limited issue.

Please note, the two original documents & photo featured in the master image of this listing are only shown for referential purposes and are not included with the greatcoat.

The greatcoat has “Chicken Gut” rank braids on both cuffs for Lieutenant Colonel, and due to their crude construction, it is clear the ranks were field-applied as he was promoted overseas. The left shoulder bears a 28th Division red “Keystone” patch, which does have a tear on the right side, however this does not take away from the beauty of the coat. All buttons are retained on the coat, these being of very high quality and possibly ivory, with cracking in the finish that gives a gorgeous patina to the entire coat.

The most phenomenal part of this greatcoat is of course the extremely scarce detachable hood, which attaches to the small buttons under the collar of the coat. This example is perfect, and is still attached to the buttons, although one side is detached in the photos, the hood still fully attaches properly to the greatcoat.

The interior pocket tag reads 1ST LIEUTENANT C.N. BERNTHEIZEL, and indicates the greatcoat was manufactured by the William H. Horstmann Company of Philadelphia.

Cleon Nivelle Berntheizel was born on October 13th, 1874, in Columbia, Pennsylvania. He was educated in Columbia public schools and graduated from the Dickinson School of Law in 1898. He enlisted in 1900 in Co. C, Fourth Regiment., Pennsylvania National Guard. He was promoted from 1st Lt. to Major Advocate, Fourth Brigade on July 15th, 1917, and was deployed in 1916 to the Mexican Border War. He embarked overseas on May 3rd, 1918, and served with the 28th Division, American Expeditionary Force in France during World War I and was promoted to Lt. Col. Aside from his duties as Judge Advocate of the 28th Division, he also served as temporary Judge Advocate for VI Army Corps. He was awarded campaign clasps for Champagne-Marne, Aisne-Marne, Oise-Aisne, Meuse-Argonne, and Defensive Sector. He returned stateside on April 29th, 1919.

After his military career, he served as a member and president of Columbia Borough council, was elected District Attorney of Lancaster Co., 1915, and to the state Senate, December 21, 1920, in a special election, filling a vacancy left by the deceased Senator Horace Haldeman. He was re-elected in 1922, serving through 1926. The senator held positions as Columbia School Board Solicitor, Borough Solicitor, member of the board of directors of Columbia Hospital, director of Keeley Stove Co., solicitor for Central National Bank, director of Central Savings and Loan Association, and was a volunteer fireman. Senator Berntheizel organized the first Columbia High School football team, was an accomplished thespian during his days at Dickinson Law School, and was a member of numerous fraternal and civic organizations. He passed away on June 21st, 1936, at the age of 61. We have found a photograph of Berntheizel in uniform on his find-a-grave.

The greatcoat is in fantastic service-worn condition overall, without any serious issues other than some mothing on the collar and body, but this does not detract from what is a truly outstanding greatcoat. This is one of the most phenomenal WWI uniform pieces we have offered, from what is likely the most sought-after and collectible division of World War I, given that more soldiers from Pennsylvania fought than from any other state. It has its extremely scarce hood, and is named to the Judge Advocate of the 28th Division, a very important and high-ranking position. Comes ready for further research and display.