Germany, Imperial. A Wound Badge, Black Grade Newly Listed He was either plagued by

He was either plagued by arthritis or rheumatism

This smock was introduced after direct copies of the German "Step in Smock"

the interlocking letters "VR" above the Romanian coat-of-arms backed by crossed swords below

He enlisted in the United States Army in Forest City

He joined the German army in 1912 and made Lieutenant by early 1914

Germany, Imperial. A Wound Badge, Black Grade Newly Listed He was either plagued by(Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarze). Constructed of blackened magnetic metal, the obverse consisting of an oval laurel wreath, joined together at the bottom by ribbon, with a central Stahlhelm on top of crossed swords, the reverse with a barrel hinge and vertical pinback meeting a flat wire catch, unmarked, measuring 39. 16 mm (w) x 42. 81 mm (h), in better than very fine condition.