Up for auction is a high-profile piece of World War I history with incredible provenance. This is a private-purchase "Patriotic" identification tag belonging to Joseph Fred Vitek (1891–1980), a Kansas native who served in one of the most grueling and unique campaigns in U.S. military history: the American Expeditionary Force Siberia.

​Unlike standard-issue circular tags, this oval "Reward" tag was a custom purchase often favored by soldiers heading into uncertain territory.

​The Provenance & Research

• ​Soldier: Joseph Fred Vitek

• ​Service Number: 3049278 (Confirmed Kansas National Army Block)

• ​Unit: 31st Infantry Regiment (31 INF.)

• ​Campaign: AEF Siberia (The "Forgotten" Russian Front)

• ​Dates: 1891–1980 (Lived to age 88)

​The 31st Infantry was sent to Vladivostok, Russia in 1918 to guard the Trans-Siberian Railroad during the Russian Civil War. These soldiers—known as "Polar Bears"—endured sub-zero temperatures and complex combat in a theater where only ~8,000 Americans served, making artifacts from this regiment significantly rarer than those from the Western Front in France.

​Item Details

• ​Design: Features a raised American Flag at the top with a decorative "Beaded" border.

• ​Markings: Hand-stamped with Service No. 3049278, Unit 31 INF., and Year 1918.

• ​Reverse: Features the classic "& Receive Reward" stamp, a hallmark of private-purchase tags intended to ensure the soldier's return home.

• ​Condition: Authentic "field-found" patina with heavy character. The metal shows honest oxidation and wear consistent with its age and the harsh Siberian climate it likely traversed. Lettering remains clear and legible.

​Why This Belongs In Your Collection

​Identity tags with fully traceable service numbers to "niche" units like the 31st Infantry are highly sought after by military historians and numismatic collectors alike. This isn't just a piece of metal; it’s a direct link to a Kansas man’s journey to the frozen Russian frontier.

​Buy It Now to add this documented piece of the "Great War" to your archive.

​Shipping: Fast, secured shipping with tracking.