Jump to content

Obsolete badges of the United States military

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 206.218.52.33 (talk) at 23:32, 22 May 2012 (Air Force: fixed typo (sergeon)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Hap" Arnold wearing (above ribbons) conventional "wings" design and (below ribbons) Military Aviator Badge

Obsolete badges of the United States military are a number of U.S. military insignia which were issued in the early 20th century leading up to and including badges issued during the Second World War. Such badges were eventually phased out of the United States armed forces in favor of the modern military badges which are used by the U.S. military today.

Certain badges were also issued in the 19th century, and the oldest military badge on record dates to the time of the American Revolutionary War. The following is a listing of obsolete U.S. military badges and the time period, or branch of service, to which such badges were specific.

A unique obsolete badge situation occurred with General of the Air Force Henry H. Arnold, who in 1913 was among the 24 Army pilots to receive the first Military Aviator badge, an eagle bearing Signal Corps flags suspended from a bar. Replaced in 1917 by the more conventional "wings" embroidered design (authorized as an oxidized silver badge in 1921), Arnold displayed both types on his uniform throughout his career. The original Military Aviator design can be seen in pictures of him in uniform.

Badge of Military Merit
Fidelity Medallion File:FidelityMedallion.jpg


1913-1926

Signal Corps Military Aviator Badge
Air Service Airplane Pilot Badge
Bombing Aviator Badge
Aeronaut Badge
Enlisted Aviator Badge
Observer Badge
Wound Chevron


Army Air Forces Pilot Badge
Army Air Forces Flight Surgeon Badge
Army Air Forces Flight Nurse Badge
Army Air Forces Navigator Badge
Army Air Forces Aircrew Badge File:USAAF - Air Crew BW.png
Bombardier Badge File:BombardierBadge.jpg
Aerial Gunner Badge File:AerialGunnerBadge.jpg
Airship Pilot Badge File:AirshipPilot.jpg
Balloon Pilot Badge
Glider Pilot Badge
Service Pilot Badge File:ServicePilotWings.jpg
Liaison Pilot Badge
Flight Engineer Badge
Aircraft Observer Badge
Technical Observer Badge File:TechnicalObserverWings.jpg
Balloon Observer Badge
Women Airforce Service Pilots Badge
Flight Instructor Badge
Army Air Forces Technician Badge
Air Force Command Flight Surgeon Badge Replaced by Chief Flight Surgeon Badge in June 1959 [1]
Aide to Secretary of the Air Force (left)
& Air Force Chief of Staff (right) Badges
Replaced by new design in 1962 [2]
Air Force Parachutist Badge Replaced by Army Parachutist Badge in 1963 [3]
Air Force Training Instructor Badge Replaced by Air Education and Training Command Instructor Badge [4]
Air Force Combat Crew Badge Active from 1964 to 1993
Space and Missile Badge Replaced by Space Badge on 1 Nov 2005 [5]
Air Force Communications and Information Badge Replaced by Cyberspace Badges on 1 Jun 2010 [6]
Air Force Information Management Badge Replaced by Cyberspace Badges on 1 Jun 2010 [7]
Glider Badge
Air Assault Badge
Scuba Diver Badge
Reserve Recruiter Badge File:ReserveRecruiter.gif
National Guard Recruiter & Retention Badges
Nuclear Reactor Operator Badges
Coast Guard Flight Officer Badge File:CGFO.jpg
Office of the Secretary of Transportation Identification Badge
Naval Navigator Badge
Dirigible Pilot Badge
Enlisted Special Warfare Pin
Naval Aviation Pilot Badge (enlisted pilot)
Underwater Demolition Officer Pin
Underwater Demolition Enlisted Pin
Scuba Officer Badge File:ScubOffBadge.jpg

Joint Service

White House Service Badge Replaced by the Presidential Service Badge on 1 Sep 1964

See also