Thomas Rose McPhail of Thomaston served in the U.S. Army's 303rd Infantry, 76th Division during World War I. A member of the Field Artillery Corps, he served in the Toul Sector, located near Saint Mihiel, France.

Cpl. McPhail's wool tunic, shown from the side, features a red and black shoulder patch, representing McPhail's additional rank of Gunner, 2nd Class. During WWI, Gunners were specialized warrant officers skilled in the maintenance, handling and administration of weapons and artillery.

The chevron patch on the lower sleeve references his six months of European service. Although Cpl. McPhail served in France from July 1918 through May 1919, the hostilities ended six months after his arrival.