Obsolete badges of the United States military
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 |
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 |
Joint Service
White House Service Badge | Replaced by the Presidential Service Badge on 1 Sep 1964 |