This photo of 26th ID 181st infantry C Company was taken at Camp Edwards
Falmouth Ma in May 1941.
Most of these guys were draftees from New England area.
The were on maneuvers in the south during the fall of '41.
The division returned to Camp Edwards on saturday Dec 6th 1941 and
prepared to muster out. With the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor
the next day, their hopes to be out of uniform & home for Christmas ended.
The 181st and 182nd were then detached from the division and I believe they were
one of the 1st regiments to see service in the war, landing at Guadalcanal.
My Dad created a key for the photo with all the names he could remember.
I believe he did this after the war. He typed most of it and then it looks like
he assed to it as he remembered more names.
Does anyone think it'd be worthwhile if I listed the names with the picture?
Someone might be looking for their father or grandfather.
My dad is the tall guy in the last row - the very center of the picture.
He was detached from 26ID and attached to VI Corps 206th MP Co sometime
after Pearl Harbor.
mary ann
MPs!!!! I Can't believe it! I've looked at this photo a million times,
but this is the first time I've noticed the crossed pistols on the Compancy C flag!
They ARE crossed pistols, aren't they????
If these guys are all MPs, then I wonder if they wer ALL attched to VI corps
MP units when 26ID split up!
I'm SUCH a JACKASS! 
Now I'm even answering my own posts!
Help! Marion! I think I might need an intervention!
I think the flag shows crossed rifles, similar to flags shown here for the 26th division in 1931.
http://tmg110.tripod.com/usarmyh3.htm
If the picture was taken in May of `41, the 181st was still part of the 26th ID which at that time was a "square" division, meaning it consisted of 4 infantry regiments, 101st: 104th: 181st: & 182nd. When the army reorganized to the "triangular" 3 regiment division, the 181 & 182 i believe were assigned to the Americal Division and the 328th was added to the 26th ID.
During this reorganization, some men were transfered out of existing units to fill out new units being formed, MP companies among them. I doubt that a whole infantry company was redesignated as an MP unit in 1941. MP`s were selected on various criteria, being tall was one.
Thanks Larry! yeah I think the 181st & 182nd were with the American Division - I believe
were among the 1st to see action in the Pacific.
My Dad WAS tall, but his best MP buddy Corporal Bob Cunningham who was with him throughout Italy & France was notl. I've got a picture taken of them together
after Salerno invasion. I'll have to locate it and post it.
Mary Ann
]
Here's to the tall one! 
Does anyone think it'd be worthwhile if I listed the names with the picture?
Someone might be looking for their father or grandfather.
Oh absolutely! You won't believe how many letters I've received saying something to the affect, "Hey I was perusing your site and couldn't believe when I saw my uncles photo..." Please do so.
It's wonderful how much you've found out just posting that photo and text. 
Insignia
First - Branch Insignia
Second - Branch Plaque
Third - Regimental Insignia
Fourth - Regimental Coat of Arms
Thanks for all the info Marion!
I have one of these WWII MP booklets. It's pretty cool, but
focuses more on the later part of the war post DDAY and there's
not much on MPs in Mediterranean theater. VI Corps never got the
same recognition & publicity in my opinion.
http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_bookl...lice/index.html
gonna post the names of the fellows in C company.
wouldn't it be GRAND if someone recognizes a relative or buddy!
Names of C Company 181st 1941 Camp Edwards Ma
(my father made these lists with as many names as he could remember
& guys listed by their nicknames. There's lots of blanks, but hopefully
this list might be helpful to somebody)
Left to right
1st row: Zulivitch
Sandberg
Waddo Johnson
Eddie Sullivan
Slick Carrillia
Jim kennedy
Red Sutton
Joe Eagan
Woodland Sulham
Lt Kret
Lt Doyle
Captain Mahaney
Lt ?
Lt Garabedian
Lt McCarthy
Chet Gagnon ( I believe Chet was with my father later in VI corps)
Walter Byland
Unknown
Felliciti
McArdle
Christie
Wally Arnot
Paul Woods
2nd Row: Harry Grubert
Bresnahan
Cohen
McCoy
Shapiro
unknown
unknown
Pat Walker
Hyjek
Fish
unknown
Chestnut
Potter
Riordan
Scott
Barringer
Paul Johnson
Russ Erskine
Siliskey
Jake (?) Gordon
Hebert
King
Dickerson
Marselli
Russell
Unknown
Unknown
Arshambeau
unknown
Gentile
3rd row: Lavin
Curran
Walter (?) Malenski
Majinski (??)
unknown
unknown
Ashley
Ash
Hayword
Maluski (?)
Borrelli
Mike Pigano
Charles Dodge
unknown
unknown
Jerry Aubin
Dailey
Griffin
Diamantis
unknown
Foster
Jones
Bill gallagher
Pat Felliminio
Unknown
unknown
Army
unknown
4th row: Shuchek
Coggswell
Joe Bossy
Ray Johnson
Paul Sullivan
Robert Mcdonald
Charles Leach
Unknown
Walter
Carey
Buttrick
Tarrar
Geginheminer
Sullivan
Annis
Greco
Steve Annis
Unknown
Chet Carleton
unknown
Walter Army
Kelly
5th row: Fred Marlow
Bassett
unknown
Bergman
Haywood
Harry ?
Cronin
unknown
McGeever
Sullivan
unknown
Perron
Scholl
Haas
Woodbury
Cassidy
Ferguson
Kerris
Lindstrom
unknown
Buckley
Daly
Unknown
Leone
Grenier
Taylor
Jamros
unknown
Bell
6th row: Hathaway
Wood
Mike Basiglio (Sp?)
Paul Clark
McDonald
Stanley Odenski (sp?)
Al Johnson
Milowski
Stracken
Dorres
Majeski
Sweika
Houvann
Pierce
Francis Howard (my Dad)
Mctiegue
Morton
Cody
Lucy
Caldwell
Bus Adams
Connant
Lewis
Unknown
Walter Rajah
Dill
Cutler
Smith
O'Connell
Bailey