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I have heard this term many times as I’m sure many of you have also. I had no idea of where it came from before now and I still don’t know but now I have a better idea.
This term was first known to be applied to US infantrymen during the Spanish American war. It is known to have several rumored orgins but the jury is still out on exactly where it came from. It was first used to describe the American Infantryman of the period leading into WWI. It later became a term that applied to all soldiers and even to marines. It fizzled out as other terms such as G I and dogface became popular.
American Infantrymen in the Spanish American war used to get the chalky white dust all over their clothing from marching across the terrain of northern Mexico which made them look like living walking doughmen. Personally I believe that this is where the term originated.
Another possible explanation of the term is from the pipe clay that pre Civil war soldiers used to clean their white garrison belts. Yet a third explanation for the orgin of this term is the field rations that the soldiers used which consisted largely of white flour or rice.
I wonder if any of you military ring customers out there have ever heard of this term or have any other ideas or knowledge of its orgin. If so please write and let the military ring man know the deal. drop a little knowledge on me will you?
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