US Army Medals Badges and Insignia WW 2 Present

150 Pages·2004·36.89 MB·English

by  Frank C. Foster

Complete Guide To
The United States Army
Medals, Badges and Insignia
World War II to Present
By
Colonel Frank C. Foster
US Army Ret.
1st Edition
DedicatedtomyfatherCaptainFrankC. Foster,USAR,aWorldWarII
veteranandmy sonCaptainLeeB. Foster, ANGandall the other
fathers andsons andthe mothers anddaughters ofourgreatcountry
whohavesounselfishly servedtheircountryinthe
UnitedStatesArmy.
LibraryofCongress CatalogCard Number-2004102041
HardcoverEditionISBN-1-884452-58-2
SoftcoverEditionISBN-1-884452-59-0
Copyright2004byMOAPress
All rights reserved. Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedin retrievalsystemsortransmittedbyany
means, electronic,mechanicalorbyphotocopying,recordingorbyanyinformationstorageand retrievalsystem
withoutpermissionfrom thepublishers,exceptfortheinclusionofbriefquotationsina review.
Publishedby:
MOA Press(MedalsofAmericaPress)
114SouthchaseBlvd.·FountainInn,SC29644
Telephone: [phone]
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About the Author
Col. FrankC. Foster (USA, Ret.), grew
upin Greenville, South Carolinaandearned
hisBSfromTheCitadel,MBAfromtheUni
versity of Georgia and is a graduate of the
Army'sCommandandGeneralStaffCollege
andArmyWarCollege. He saw service as a
BatteryCommanderinGermanyandserved
inVietnamwiththe 173rdAirborneBrigade
and USARV General Staff. In theAdjutant
General's Corps, he served as the Adjutant
General ofthe CentralArmy Group, the4th
Infantry Division and was the Commandant
and Chiefofthe Army's Adjutant General's
Corpsfrom 1986to 1990during whichtime
he activated the Adjutant General Corps
Regiment. Hismilitaryserviceprovidedhim
a unique understanding oftheArmed ForcesAwards System. He currently operates
MedalsofAmericaPressandisthecoauthorofACompleteGuidetoAllUnitedStates
MilitaryMedals 1939toPresentandcoauthorofTheDecorationsandMedals ofthe
Republic ofVietnam. He and his wife Linda, who was decorated with the Army
Commander'sMedalfor serviceto theArmy,liveinFountainInn, SouthCarolina. Colonel Frank C. Foster
Grateful Acknowledgments
Mydeepestappreciationtothefollowingindividualsfortheirinvaluablecontributions.Withouttheirunselfishefforts,this
bookwouldneverhavehappened.
Authors,ConsultantsandReviewers withoutwhichthis JointStafflPentagon
bookwouldnothavebeenwritten Cdr. JerryMahar, (Retired),DODAwards
Mr.LawrenceH. Borts...forsplendideditingand
suggestions. ChiefMagicWands
Mr. Peter Morgan ...for loans of anything I needed and
Formakingitfit 40inches all around and dress rightdress
reviewing the text.
and coverdown:
Mr. Jim Thompson for blazing the way with his two
books on the Marines and Navy and checking my azimuth. Mrs. BonnieCrocker,P. P. D.
Mrs. BuzIsham-Martin,A.D.
InstituteofHeraldry,UnitedStatesArmy
Thesegentlemenand theirtalentedstaffhaveprovided U.S.ArmyAwardsBranch
the material on badges and branchinsigniaoverthe past Mrs.ArletteKing andherfine teamattheArmy awards
fiveyears. branch.
ColonelGeraldT.Luchino-FormerDirector,
TheInstituteofHeraldry Vanguard,Inc. America'sleadingmilitaryinsigniasupplierto
theArmedForcesforunfailingsupport.
Mr. ThomasB. Profitt-FormerDirector,
TheInstituteofHeraldry Mr. BillGershen, Presidentand CEO
Mr. Robert1.Hopkins andMr. Stan Haas Mr. MichaelHarrison,Vice-President
TheInstituteofHeraldry Mr. GaryDuncan, GeneralManager
MedalsofAmerica,Inc. Photography
Fortheirwillingness toprovideanyhelprequested: Thebeautifulphotographyofthesemedals, badges and
Mrs. LindaFoster insigniaarethefine workofMr. SteveRuss.
Lt. Col.AnthonyAldebol, USAFRet.
Mrs. Lois Owens
2
Table of Contents
Introduction,BackgroundandHistory 4
SealsandEmblems 13
HatBadges,ButtonsandLapelPins 14
OriginofOfficerRankInsignia 16
USArmyCommissionedRankInsignia 17
FullDress,MessDressandSlid-onOfficerRankInsignia 18
WalTantOfficer'sInsigniaofRank 19
BackgroundandDevelopmentofEnlistedRank 20
EnlistedRankInsignia 22
IntroductiontoBranchInsignia 24
Infantry 24
USArmyBadgesandTabs 43
MarksmanshipBadges : 52
IdentificationBadges 54
ArmyAirCorps,ArmyAirForceWings 59
Awards,InsigniaandAccoutelTllents 62
Uniforms 64
Aiguillette,FoulTagere,LangyardandBlueCord 68
Introductionto ColorPlates 69
Types ofMedals,Ribbons andAttachments 70
DifferentFormsofMedals 70
RibbonDevices 72
COlTectOrderofArmyRibbonWear 73
DecorationsandMedals 74
Non-USServiceAwards 83
Veteran'sMilitaryMedals 87
ExamplesofUnitedStatesCommemorativeMedals 85
HowtoDetermineAVeteran'sMilitqryMedals 86
DisplayingMilitaryAwards 89
Army BadgesandInsignia 90
SubduedInsignia 105
DescriptionsofDecorationsandMedals 106
RibbonOnlyAwards 84, 131
ForeignDecorations 132
UnitedStatesArmyUnitAwards 136
Certificates , 139
UnitedNationsMedals 140
CommemorativeMedals 142
IssueofUS MedalstoVeteransandtheirFamilies 143
Bibliography : 145
Index 145
List of Illustrations
FullDress,MessDressandSlide-onOfficerRankInsignia 18
USArmyEnlistedRank 22
ExamplesofCorrectBadgeWearToday 43
WearofMarksmanshipBadgeswithCombatandSkillBadges 53
Awards,InsigniaandAccounterments , 62
Uniforms 64
TypesofMedals,Ribbons andAttachements 70
PlacementofBronzeandSilverCampaignStarsontheRibbonandMedal 71
ArmyRibbonDevices 72
ArmyCorrectOrderofRibbonWear 73
DecorationandMedals 74
USPersonalDecorations 75
Non-USServiceAwards 83
RibbonOnly 84
ExamplesofUnitedStatesMilitaryCommendationMedals 85
Veteran'sMilitaryMedals 87
DisplayingMilitaryAwards 88
Badges 90
IdentificationBadges 93
ExamplesofMarksmanshipBadgesAuthorizedForWear 94
OfficerInsignia 95
OfficerBranchInsignia 96
EnlistedBranchInsignia 97
USArmyCommissionedRankInsignia 98
USArmyEnlistedRankInsignia 99
USArmyShoulderSleeveInsignia 100
Ribbons,MiniaturesandFullSizeMedalsExamples 104
ExamplesofSubduedPin-OnBadges 105
SamplesofUnitedStatesArmy& ForeignAwardCertificates 139
3
Introduction
Background of United States Army
Medals, Badges and Insignia
Growing up in a southern family thathas seenmilitary ser
vice since the Cherokee Uprising in 1756, the Army has long
beenapartofourfamilyheritage. AfterretirementfromtheArmy, Silver
_____Epaulette
Ilookedfor somewayto expressmyappreciationto allthemen '"'''',r' ...,.,..... for
Officers
and women who have so unselfishly served our country for the
past225 years. Thedecisionis tohonorthemwithabookwhich
exploresthehonorsandrewards ourgratefulcountryhasusedto
recognizehersoldier. Ihope thatfuture generations will under
standthesignificanceoftheseunique symbols ofservice. These
honors, in the form ofdecorations, medals, ribbons, badges and
insignia, symbolize the valor, bravery, dedication, patriotism,
skills anddevotionto dutythatmillionsofloyalAmericanshave
so nobly demonstrated while protecting their nation and their AMERICANREVOLUTION
fellow countrymen.
At the outbreak ofthe Revolutionary War,'the uniforms and
WorldWarIIrepresentedtheUnited StatesArmy's greatest
insigniaoftheArmywerebasicallythesameas theColonialregi
victory. It also saw the major expansion oftheArmy's current
ments that fought in the French and Indian Wars. Pennsylvania
systemofawards,forserviceanddevelopmentofmostoftheuni
troopsworegreenuniforms,NewJerseytroopsandSouthCarolina
form insignia weknowtoday. ThisclearlymakesWorldWarII
troops wore blue uniforms, while Connecticut soldiers wore red
the place to beginthe narrative.
uniformcoats. In1775,Congressorderedallcontinentaltroopsto
OfthemillionsofAmericancitizenswho haveservedinthe
wearbrownuniformsbut,by 1779thestandardwasbluewithdif
ArmedForcesoftheUnitedStatessinceWorldWarII,themajor
ferentcoloredfacingsforNewEngland,thesouthernandthecentral
ityservedintheUnitedStatesArmy. Thisbooktellsthestoryof
states.
the honors they won, the skills they developed and the military
Asidefromuniformcolor,duringtheearlyyearsoftheRevo
symbols they servedunder.
lution the only real distinctive United StatesArmy insignia were
The bookis not only for veterans ofWorld WarII, Korea,
pewterbuttonswiththeinitialsU.S.A.intertwined. Later,towards
Vietnam,theGulfWar,Kosovo,theLiberationofIraqanddozens
the endofthewar, someofficers beganto wearasmallpewteror
ofotherskirmishes andexpeditions, butalsoforveterans' fami
silvereagleinthecenteroftheirhat'sblackCOCkade@
lies. Itis probablymoreimportantfor asoldier's family to read
Insigniaofrankwas agreenepauletteonthe ~
this book and gain an appreciation for the dedication and skill - right shoulderfor acorporal and a 'A
whichgoesintoearningtheseawards.
. redepaulette.forasergeant. Offic
IamtryingtotellthestoryofourArmyoverthepast70years
ersoftenworegoldlaceontheirhats
throughitssymbolsofvalor,professionalskillandespritdecorps.
or silver epaulettes, Generals wore
Everyefforthasbeenmadetoprovidethecriteriaandbackground
goldepaulettesonbothshoulders,sometimeswitha
foreachemblem. However,whenitcametotheareaofshoulder
startoindicateBrigadierGeneralorMajorGeneral.
sleeve insignia or patches, it soon became clear that we could
GeneralWashingtonalso directed thatkey officers
only try to address the major units involvedineachwar(forthe
wearcoloredribbons acrosstheirchestsforidentification.
enthusiast, MajorPeterMorgan has done asuperbjob ofcover
Earlyin theAmericanRevolution, Congress voted to award
ingthewide varietyofshouldersleeveinsigniainhisbook, The
gold medals to outstandingmilitaryleaders. The first suchmedal
AmericanMilitary Patch Guide). Additionally, the areaofunit
was struckto honorGeorgeWashingtonforhis serviceindriving
crestand distinctive unit insigniais so vastthatitcouldonly be
the British from Boston in 1776. Similar medals were bestowed
touched upon very briefly.
uponGeneralHoratioGatesforhisvictoryattheBattleofSaratoga
Finally, ashardaswetry, weknowtherewillbemistakesin
and Captain John Paul Jones after his famous naval engagement
thisbook.Wethereforeinviteallreaderstosendtheircomments,
with theSerapis in 1779. Unlikepresentpractice, however, these
suggestions and corrections in care ofthe publisher. Thank you
were large, presentation medals not designed to be worn on the
for using this book for, in so doing, you honor the memory of
military uniformalthough General Gates por
thosegreatAmericans,ourArmyveterans.
traitshowsthemedalhangingonaneckrib
bon. Interestingly,oncethedieswerecutfor
ColonelFrankFoster,
these medals, many copies were manufac
U.S.Army, Retired
tured and distributed by the mint as com 1
memorative medals to instill patriotic ,
pride in the new country's victories.;\f·
Manyoftheseearlycommemorativeme-k"
dallionsarestillbeingstruckandoffered~,
forsalebytheU.S.Mint. "
4
important by proposing to reward, "not only instances of
unusualgallantry, butalsoofextraordinaryfidelity andessential
serviceinanyway."Andfinally,thewonderfullydemocraticsen
tence, "theroad to glory in a patriotic army andfree country is
thus openedto all."
Comingasitdid,almostayearafterCornwallis'surrenderat
Yorktown,themessagewasnevergivenwidespreaddistribution
and, as a result, there were only three known recipients ofthis
badge, Sergeants Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel
Bissell. Unfortunately, after the Revolution, the award fell into
GoldmedalstrucktohonorGeorgeWashingtonforhisservice disuse and disappearedfor 150years.
indrivingtheBritishfromBostonin1776.
However, it did not die, primarily due to the efforts ofthe
The"Andre" medalbrokethecustomofrestrictingtheaward Army'sthenChiefofStaff,GeneralDouglasMacArthur,(and,by
ofmedals to successful senior officers and is doubly unique in noaccident,oneofitsfirstrecipients). Onthe200thanniversary
that it was designed for wear around the neck. The medal was ofWashington's birth, February 22, 1932, the War Department
presented by Congress in 1780 to the three enlisted men who announcedthat:
capturedtheBritishMajorJohnAndrewith WestPoint'sfortifi "ByorderofthePresidentofthe United
cationplansinhis boot. States, thePurpleHeart, establishedbyGen.
George Washington at Newburgh, New
York... isherebyrevivedoutofrespecttohis
memoryandmilitaryachievements."
Washington's "figure of a heart in
purple" was retained as the medal's central
theme and embellished with Washington's
likenessandhiscoatofarms.Thewords"For
Military Merit" appear on the reverse as a
respectfulreference to its worthypredeces
sor.
Towards theendofthe warorimmedi- 1932PurpleHeart
atelyafter,GeneralWashingtonauthorizeda
TheAndreMedalawardedtopatriots stripetobesewnonthesleeveofoutstandingnoncommissioned
Van Wert, PauldingandWilliams
officers to honorthree years ofexemplary service. Those with
bytheContinentalCongressin 1780.
six years wore two stripes. The evidence to supportthis first
InAugust, 1782,GeorgeWashingtonestablishedtheBadge versionofthe goodconductmedalis mostlyfrom court-martial
ofMilitary Merit, the first U. S. decoration which had general recordswhenmenwereorderedtoremoveastripe. Theseexem
application to all enlistedmen, and one which he hoped would plaryserviceorgoodconductstripesdisappeart;:daftertheRevo
inaugurateapermanentawardssystem.Atthesametime,heex lutionaryWaralong withtheoriginalOrderofMilitaryMerit.
pressed his fundamental awards philosophy when he issued an
orderfromhisheadquartersatNewburgh,NewYork,whichread:
"The General, everdesirous to cherishavirtuous ambition
inhissoldiers,aswellastofosterandencourageeveryspeciesof
militarymerit, directsthat, wheneveranysingularlymeritorious
actionispeiformed, theauthorofitshallbepermittedtowearon
hisfacings, over his left breast, thefigure ofa heart inpurple
cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only in
stances ofunusual gallantry, but also ofextraordinaryfidelity,
andessentialserviceinanyway,shallmeetwithaduereward...the
roadtogloryinapatriotarmyandafreecountryisthusopened
toall. Thisorderisalsotohaveretrospectto theearliestdaysof
thewar, andto beconsideredapermanentone."
Although special and commemorative medals had been
1782BadgeofMilitaryMerit
awarded previously, until this point no decoration had been
established whichhonoredtheprivate soldierwith arewardfor
special merit. The wording ofthe orderis worth careful study.
The objectwas "to cherish a virtuous ambition" and O"to foster
and encourage every species ofmilitary merit." Note also, that
General Washington appreciated thatevery kind ofservice was
5
THEWAROF1812 THEMEXICANWAR 1846TO 1848
The War of 1812 saw the widespread By the time ofthe Mexican War, many ofthe U.S. Army
introduction of the American bald eagle as insigniathatweknowtodaywereappearingontheuniform. The
the Army's national symbol on flags, hats, eagle remained the centerpiece on hats and shakos. The large
breastplates and belt buckles. Infantry sha goldandsilverepaulettesdisappearedexceptondress uniforms
kosusedtheeagleonthefrontwhileofficers andwerereplacedforeverydaywearwithsimpleshoulderstraps
wore a small silver eagle in the blackcock- forofficersandchevronsfornoncommissionedoffices. Thetwo
adeoftheirhat. stripes were for corporal and three stripes for
Additionally, the markings "U.S." be Sergeant. Some units wore chevrons pointed
gan to appear on pieces ofequipment for downwhilesomeunitsworethepointup. The
identification. Insignia of rank remained infantryinsigniawasthehuntinghom;artillery
the silver and gold epaulettes for officers worecrossedcannonswhiletheengineercastle
and colored epaulettes for noncommis appearedonthehatofenlistedengineers. Color
sionedofficers. Congressretainedthe cus- oftendesignatedbranchwiththecavalrywearingyellowandar
tom of commissioning large presentation tilleryredtrimontheuniform. TheUSinsigniabegantoappear
medals to victorious commandingofficers. An example, shown in moreplaces; beltbuckles, cartridgeboxes, breastplates, can
below, is the medal presented to Major General Alexander teen covers. In general, the eagle and letters "US" became the
Macombfor his 1814victory atthe battle ofPlattsburgh. logo oftheUnitedStatesArmy.
Thefederalgovernmentstill
showed a great reluctance to
strikemedals for the soldiers in
the Mexican War. However,
states showed no such resis
tance. Forexamplethe state of
South Carolina struck 1000 sil
ver medals for members of the
Palmettoregimentwhichserved
in the Mexican War and en
graved each with the name ofthe soldier. Some cities such as
Charleston, SC also struckmedals specifically for their Com-
pany. After the war, theArmy officers who
servedintheMexicanWarformedtheAztec
Clubandstruckamedalfortheirmembersto
wear. The Certificate of Merit was estab
lished by the Army in 1847 to reward sol
diers who distinguished themselves in
battle, but this was not translated into
medallic form until 1905.
AztecClubMedal
6
1862Army GrandArmyoftheRepublic
MedalofHonor ReunionMedal
THECIVILWAR
By the Civil War, Army officer shoulder strap ranks had Confederatesoldiersonlyreceivedrecognition
almostevolvedintotoday'ssymbolsforlieutenant,captain,ma fromthehandsoftheDaughtersoftheConfederacy
jor, lieutenant colonel, colonel and general rank. However as who designed and struck a handsome Southern
rebel marksmenconcentratedonfederal officers easilyidentifi CrossofHonorwhichwasbelatedlyawardedmany
ablebytheirshoulderstraps, someofficersremovedtheirinsig Confederateveteransintheearly 1900s.
niaandbeginto wearpin-onrankduringcombat. In 1905, President Roosevelt authorized
The eagle insignia continued to be worn on some broad campaignmedalsbackto theCivilWar. TheCivil
brim hats and officer belt buckles. The U.S. insignia became WarCampaignMedal(Army) was issuedfor anyFederalArmy
standardonenlistedbeltbuckles andbreastplates. Eachbranch servicebetweenApril 15,1861 andApril9,1865 (theperiodwas
ofthe servicebeganto wearits own symbols onhats. Hunting extendedforserviceinTexasthroughAugust20,1866). Thefront
homonhatssymbolizetheinfantry,crossedsaberssymbolizethe ofthemedalhasabustofAbrahamLincolnwiththewords"With
cavalry, andcrossedcannonstheartillery. Enlistedrankcontin malice towards none; with charity for all". The reverse ofthe
ued to be shown by chevrons with each branch using different medalisinscribed"CivilWar, 1861-1865". Thefirstmedalshad
colors;lightbluestripesforinfantry,redstripesforartillery,yel red,whiteandblueribbonswhichwerechangedin1913tomatch
lowstripesforthe cavalry. the differentNavy andMarine CivilWarMedal ribbon done in
The Civil War also saw the first United States military blueand grey.
decorations, aMedalofHonorforheroicservicetobepresented
only to enlisted men. As the war'continued, the award ofthe
MedalofHonorwas extendedto includeofficers.
The Civil War also saw the establishment of unit insignia
for the first time. Differentdevices such as
+~
diamonds, shamrocks and other distinctive
symbols were selected for various divisions
tOthCorps 2dCorps and corps within the Grand Army of the
$0e0S Republic. Onecorpssymbol,areddiamond,
is still used as the division shoulder sleeve
~s insigniaoftheFifthInfantryDivision(mecha
nized).
Identification badges also made their
6thCorps 7thCorps appearance in The Civil War when combat
soldiersstartedwritingtheirnamesonpaperandpinningthepa
perto their uniforms so their bodies could be identified. Enter
prising sutlers began to make silver or metal badges about the
sizeofaquarterwith soldiers' names andunits onthem. These
werepinnedonthesoldierstunicsandweretheforerunnerofour
currentdog tags andIdentificationbadges.
FollowingtheCivilWar,therewasanabsoluteexplosionof
veteran's commemorative medals and reunion medals. Grand
Army of the Republic Reunion medals began to so closely
resemble the Medals of Honor that Congress was eventually
forced to change the design and patentit.
7
THESPANISH-AMERICANWAR1898 WORLDWARI
The Spanish-American War was a period oftransition for WorldWarIsawmostofthechanges takeplaceinuniform
U.S. Armyinsignia and military medals. Thetraditional U. S. insigniafromwhichourcurrentsystemsdeveloped. Skillbadges
insigniaandbranchofserviceinsigniamovedtothecollarofthe appeared for military aviators as well as specialty insignia for
"
uniform. Metalpin-onofficerrankinsigniamoved totheepau flying instructors. Chevrons appeared on the lower sleeve to
lette. The national eagle becamethe official dress hat emblem indicate periods ofoverseas service in
V
~:
forofficers. Ontheenlistedside,branchinsigniaalsomovedto combat or for wounds. Unit shoulder
J
the collar and the rank chevrons began to take on the look we ",' u .• ~,.' '~:.../;-'., ~l~e~e insig~a was introducedafteran
<;!
know today. , lllitial reSIS-
Fornearlytwentyyears,theMedalofHonorhadremained tance by senior
thesoleAmericanmilitaryawardofanykind. The"BullyLittle headquarters.While old-time command
War" (fourmonthsofmilitaryaction)changedthatandproduced ers did not like the new shoulder sleeve
a host ofmedals to commemorate the events surrounding the insignia, they grew so popularwith the
Spanish-AmericanWar. soldiers and weresuch amorale booster
TheSpanishCampaignMedal(Army) thatunit patches soonovercamethe se
was authorized for service in Cuba be niorleadership'sresistance.
tweenMay11andJuly17,andPuertoRico AtthetimeoftheU.S. entryintoWorldWarI, theMedalof
betweenJuly24andAugust16,1898.Ad Honor, Certificate of Merit and NavylMarine Good Conduct
ditionally,theSpanishWarServiceMedal Medal still represented America's entire inventory of personal
was created in 1918 to honor Spanish decorations. This presented the twin dangers that the Medal of
American War volunteers who were not Honormightbecheapenedby beingawardedtoo oftenandthat
eligiblefortheSpanishCampaignMedal. otherdeeds ofvalormightgo unrecognized.
Thefirstoccupationmedalswerestruckto By 1918, popular agitation forced the authorization oftwo
honor soldiers who occupied Cuba and new awards, the Army's Distinguished
PuertoRico in 1898afterthewar Service Cross and Distinguished Service
WhenRoosevelt, anardentsupporter ( Medal, created by Executive Order in
ofthemilitary,becamePresident,helegis 1918.Inthesameyear,thetraditionalU.S.
lated the creation ofmedals to honor all refusal to permit the armed forces to ac
those who hadservedinAmerica's previ ceptforeigndecorationswasrescinded,al-
ous conflicts. By 1908, the U.S. had lowing military personnel to accept
authorized campaign medals, someretro awards from the grateful Allied govern
active,fortheCivilWar,IndianWars,War ments.
with Spain, Philippine Insurrection and TheissuanceoftheWorldWarIVic
ChinaReliefExpeditionofl900-01.While toryMedalestablishedanotherprecedent,
theservicesusedthesameribbons, differ ArmyDistinguished thatofwearing clasps with the names of
ent medals were struck. During this ServiceCross individual battles on the suspension rib-
timeframe, the customofwearing service bonofageneralcampaignmedal.Thiswas
ribbons onthetunic was adopted with the anongoingpracticeinmanycountries,mostnotablyBritainand
Army and Navy using different prece France, since the 19thCentury. When the ribbon bar alone was
dences. Thus, the servicesmanaged to es worn, each clasp was represented by a small (3116" diameter)
tablishtheprincipleofindependenceinthe bronze star. Fourteen such clasps were adopted along with five
creationandwearingofawards thatis vir claspstodenoteserviceinspecificcountries.However,thelatter
tually unchanged today. wereissuedonlyifnobattleclaspwasearned.
8
Only one service clasp could be
issuedtoanyindividualandtheywerenot
represented byasmall(3/16") bronzestar
ontheribbon bar.
ItisafinalironythattheBritish,who
were the greatest proponents ofthe prac
tice, never issued a single bar with their
ownversionoftheVictoryMedal.
During this same period, the Army
used a 3/16" diameter silver star to indi
cate a citation for gallantry during any
previous campaign, dating back to the
Civil War. An officer or enlisted man so
..
citedwasalsopresentedwithaSilverStar
WorldWarIVictory
citation,whichevolvedintotheSilverStar
Medalwith Bars
andSilverStar Medal in 1932. WORLDWARII
Bronze oak leaf clusters BetweenWorldWar I and WorldWar II more skill badges
were introduced to indicate a second award of the ~ wereintroducedespeciallyinthemilitaryaviationfieldwithdif
MedalofHonororotherdecorationinlieuofasecond ferentwingsforpilots,observers,andballoonpilots. Newmarks
medal. manshipbadgeswereintroducedtoemphasizethepremiumthat
There remained a clear distinction between officers ofthe theArmyputongoodmarksmanshipwithpistols andrifles.
RegularArmy andReserve orNational Guard officers. Regular Unitcrests ordistinc
• •
Officers worethe lettersUS inaGothicdesign5/8 inchhighon tive unit insignia were
theircollar.VolunteerandReserve officers woreUSVandUSR introduced for most flag
ontheircollarwhileNationalGuardandofficersoftheNational carrying units and these
ArmyworeUSNGandUSNA. enamelunitcrestwerenor
Uponthe return oftroopstotheUnited f\ mallywornonthecenterof
States afterWorldWarImany county, state theepaulette.Branchinsig
andfederal organizationsrushedtoproduce niawereattachedtothelapelsofofficeruniformsin
Commemorative medals to honor their lo combinationwiththenationalU. S..
cal sons. The quality of medal design and Enlistedrank dividedintotwocategories;com
strike was quite high and they were highly mand and technical with the technical rank usually
prizedby veterans andtheirfamilies. havingtheletterTunderneaththechevrons. TheArmy
BetweenthetwoWorldWars,American GeneralStaffIdentificationbadgealsomadeitsappearanceprior
troops were 'dispatched to such areas toWorldWarII.
as Haiti, Nicaragua and China to quell
DuringWorldWarIIthreeoftheArmy's ~..
rebellionsanddealwithcivilunrestandap- mostprestigiousbadgeswereauthorized.The
wwIGreenvilles.c. propriate medals were authorized to Combat Infantryman Badge was authorized
Commemorative commemoratetheseevents. in 1943 retroactive to 7 December 1941 to
recognize the skill andheroismofAmerican
WorldWarIBattleClasps Infantrymen.TheCombatMedicalBadgewasestablishedin1945
andretroactively awardedbackto
CAMBRAI: 12Mayto4Dec., 1917 1941 to recognize the
SOMMEDEFENSIVE:21Marchto6April, 1918
devotion and skill of front line
LYS:9Apri/t027Apnl, 1918
medical personnel. TheParachute
AISNE:27Mayto5June, 1918
MONTDIDIER-NOYON:9Juneto 13June, 1918 CombatInfantryman Badgewascreatedatthebeginning
CHAMPAGNE-MARNE: 15Julyto 18July, 1918 Badge of World War II to identify and
AISNE-MARNE: 18Julyto6August, 1918 recognizetheArmy'snewairborne
SOMMEOFFENSIVE:8Augustto 11November; 1918
soldiers.
OISE-AISNE: 18Augusffo 11November; 1918
OnSeptember8, 1939,inre
YPRES-LYS: 19Augusffo 11November; 1918
ST.MIHIEL: 12Septemberto 16September; 1918 ParachutistsBadge sponse to the growing threat of
MEUSE-ARGONNE:26SeptembertoNovember1918 involvement in World War II, the
VITTORIO-VENETO:24Octoberto4November; 1918 PresidentproclaimedaNationalEmergencyinordertoincrease
DEFENSIVESECTOR
thesizeoftheU.S.militaryforces.Forthefirsttime,apeacetime
serviceaward,theAmericanDefenseServiceMedal,wasautho
ServiceClaspswereissuedfor serviceinFrance,Italy,Si rizedforwearbythosepersonnelwhoservedinthemilitaryprior
beria,RussiaandEngland. tothe attackonPearlHarboronDecember7, 1941.
9