23119 - U.S Infantry Doughboy Resting on Rifle, 1918

23119 - U.S Infantry Doughboy Resting on Rifle, 1918Though there are many origin stories for the World War One soldiers nickname of Doughboy there is one with strong historic support. Likely, the name attached early to the Americans from U. S. military operations on the Mexican border in 1916 when Pershings Expeditionary Force traveled south of the border to fight rebel Pancho Villa. Observers noticed U. S. infantry forces were constantly covered with chalky dust from marching through the dry terrain

Though there are many origin stories for the World War One soldiers’ nickname of “Doughboy” there is one with strong historic support. Likely, the name attached early to the Americans from U.S. military operations on the Mexican border in 1916 when Pershing’s Expeditionary Force traveled south of the border to fight rebel Pancho Villa. Observers noticed U.S. infantry forces were constantly covered with chalky dust from marching through the dry terrain of northern Mexico giving the men the appearance of the mud bricks of the area known as adobe with “adobe” transformed to ‘dobies’ and then further into “doughboy.” Within a few months, these dobies, or Doughboys, were redeployed to Europe. Another popular explanation is that the usage of the term in World War I originated from the millions of doughnuts that were distributed to the soldiers by the Salvation Army women, known as “Doughnut Lassies”. These doughnuts were freshly made at refreshment huts and field hospitals, becoming a welcomed taste of home and helping to boost soldiers’ morale.

1/30 Scale
Matte Finish
Single figure in box