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USMC Honorable Discharge Lapel Buttons


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Figured I'd post some of my variants of these devices. The Navy and Marine Corps were in the habit of issuing these for several decades, and as the USMC constantly was altering the design of the EGA before 1956, numerous variants of the USMC button exist. There are also pinback variants in existence, generally issued to WM's as females didn't tend to have lapel buttons back then. I've gathered 15 variants over the years, not actively hunting these, just keeping the ones that come to me. Blue borders were used on reserve, while white was used for active component, though the rule may have gone aside during WWII

 

Row 1

-1920's-30's

-1920's-30's, marked '800'

-1920's-30's screwback

-1920's-30's, screwback variant

-1920's-30's screwback variant

 

Row 2

-1930's Droop Wing variant

-Marked BB&B BRONZE

-WWII variant

-WWII variant

-WWII variant

 

Row 3

-1920's-40's USMCR

-1930's USMCR screwback variant

-WWII USMCR marked BASTION BROS

-More modern retiree clutchback

-1950's USMCR

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Brig,

 

This is outstanding! Thank you for showing these beauties from your collection. It's a great reference resource for us all!

 

I hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas!

 

Joe

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Nice collection!

Does anyone have a 1916 authorized version? While researching the white discharge diamond, I ran across this article in a 1917 edition of the USMC's Recruiter Bulletin. In the article it gives a description of the button but no photo.

 

 

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Very interesting! Have never seen a numbered version unless the one I have marked '800' or possibly '008' is one of those examples. I wonder if the numbering idea was quickly abandoned?

 

Anyone seen a number entered in a service record?

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This has been a very informative thread, I am really enjoying it! Thank you all again for taking the time to show so many variants of this beautiful lapel device from your collections.

 

Best wishes,

 

Joe

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  • 3 months later...

Here is my serial numbered one which would date pretty early. I have not obtained any files for a Marine who had one that was serial numbered, but i have found many Muster Rolls where the Marine was issued a HDB (Honorable Discharge Button) and a # is listed so I would assume it would be in their personnel file as well.

 

Would love to know how early my HDB is and whom it belonged too.

 

The earliest one I found listed was for Corporal Albert H. Long issued in August of 1917 and the number on the HDB was 1536 and he was also issued a GCM at the same time and that number was 7407.

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Here is my serial numbered one which would date pretty early.

 

 

That is very interesting! I have never seen a numbered one....Kat

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Very interesting! Gotta love how the Corps kept track of every little thing back in those days. This is only the second one I've seen

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  • 7 months later...

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