Vietnam Corpsman Collar Insignia

[DocCollector1441]

Hello everyone:

 

I have been doing some research on Corpsmen serving with the Marines in Vietnam and I noticed an interesting trend which led me to a couple of questions.

 

I have noticed that there are several pictures (I have attached a couple) that show what I presume are Corpsman wearing caduceus on their left collar but with Marine Corps rank insignia on the right collar. Was this a common practice during the Vietnam war? What was the purpose of wearing USMC rank as opposed to a metal Petty Officer insignia?

 

My next question would be: Is there anyway to distinguish an original Vietnam era caduceus insignia and USMC pin rank from modern manufactured insignia?

 

Thank you!

 

 

[firefighter]

Easier for Marines to identify enlisted rank if it MC and not Navy. I have MC unit histories that show the DOC's wearing MC rank. I think the older Navy Medic badge had 2 screw back posts. As far as enlisted rank, not sure.

[MastersMate]

Found a photo in the Jan 1967 edition of the USN magazine, "ALL HANDS" with an article concerning Corpsmen. Shows the HM with that shield and caduseus on the left collar.

 

Another edition showed what looked like the US Army subdued, 3 chevron worn on the right collar. The Army 1, 2 or 3 chevrons would make sense..

[patches]

Here.s one more Thomas Parker KIA, RVN 1967, an also Aircrewman qualified sailor with a MAW, as firefight stated, the rank just something done in this era with Corpsman assigned to the Fleet Marines.

 

 

http://www.virtualwall.org/dp/ParkerTA01a.htm

 

[MastersMate]

The July 1967 issue of the USN magazine "All Hands" , in the section "The Word", contains an item that announces to change of insignia for Navy personnel wearing the USMC uniform. It includes bronze USN CPO and PO and Non Rated collar insignia.

[MastersMate]

The article..

 

[DocCollector1441]

Ok so, pin-in on Navy rate insignia was the regulation post 1967 thus I think it could be assumed that the pin on insignia was made available. I suppose that still begs the question why they would at that point still choose to wear USMC rank insignia.

[firefighter]

For a regular line infantryman I don't think the rank insignia mattered. As long as they came running when "DOC!!!" was yelled. But as I said, it is easier for Marines to see a MC CPL rank than a Navy HM3 stripes & crow.

[MastersMate]

Does anyone have information on just when the left collar shield and caduseus insignia was created ???

[usmc grunt]

I have seen numerous photos of FMF Corpsman wearing the Caduceus on the left collar and USMC rank insignia on the right collar. In July 1967, US Navy BUuPers Notice 1020 of 6 April 1967 made it clear that FMF Corpsman were to wear Navy rate insignia on their collar, I have never seen a photo of an FMF Corpsman with the Navy rate insignia on their collar in Vietnam. Does anyone have a photo of an FMF Corpsman with the US Navy rate insignia on their collar in Vietnam?