Why is this soldier wearing this badge?

[Manchu Warrior]

I recently picked up this photo and the only thing I know is that he was a WWII era soldier and I'm just curious about the badges. Why would he have both a US Army and what looks like a USMC Qualification badge on his uniform, was this authorized? I at first thought the one may have been a Drivers badge but, I don't see a wheel on it. And even if it is why would he have a USMC qualification badge and not an Army badge? I also realize the rank structure was different at that time so he is not a SFC. With that said I assume he still had been in Army for a while and he only has two ribbons? One of which looks like a Good Conduct Ribbon so he would have to have been in for at least three years. Was he possibly a Marine first and then went in the Army? Any ideas?

[Allan H.]

Your soldier is a Technical Sergeant and he appears to be wearing the early plastic Wolf Brown ribbons showing the American Defense and the Good Conduct ribbons. Your veteran could have been in the army for twenty years and have never earned a ribbon. It was only after FDR declared a National Emergency after Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 where he would have qualified for the American Defense. It was only slightly before this that the Good Conduct medal was instituted, thus he could have enlisted in 1919 and not seen a ribbon for 20 years.

 

While the Sharpshooter badge is what we call the Marine Pattern, it was worn by army troops from before WWI up until the 1930's when the new badges began to be worn. Interestingly enough, the Marines had used the army pattern badges for a period of time before reverting back to the earlier pattern that had been used by the army.

 

I would assume that your sergeant earned the earlier pattern badge and simply continued to wear it as he liked it better than the new pattern. It is also possible that the new sharpshooter badge wasn't readily available, so he wore what he had.

 

I have taken the liberty of attaching a photo of my friend Sherman Oyler who can be seen wearing what we call a Marine pattern expert rifle badge. Oyler had earned this shooting badge while attending training with the CMTC prior to the US entry into the war. He told me that he wore it because he had earned it honestly and nobody ever told him that he couldn't wear it. Perhaps that is what happened wit hthe sergeant in your photo?

 

Great image. Thank you for sharing it.

Allan

[firefighter]

Allan that is a cool pic of your friend.Is that THREE PH's? Very cool story

[Manchu Warrior]

Your soldier is a Technical Sergeant and he appears to be wearing the early plastic Wolf Brown ribbons showing the American Defense and the Good Conduct ribbons. Your veteran could have been in the army for twenty years and have never earned a ribbon. It was only after FDR declared a National Emergency after Germany invaded Poland in September 1939 where he would have qualified for the American Defense. It was only slightly before this that the Good Conduct medal was instituted, thus he could have enlisted in 1919 and not seen a ribbon for 20 years.

 

While the Sharpshooter badge is what we call the Marine Pattern, it was worn by army troops from before WWI up until the 1930's when the new badges began to be worn. Interestingly enough, the Marines had used the army pattern badges for a period of time before reverting back to the earlier pattern that had been used by the army.

 

I would assume that your sergeant earned the earlier pattern badge and simply continued to wear it as he liked it better than the new pattern. It is also possible that the new sharpshooter badge wasn't readily available, so he wore what he had.

 

I have taken the liberty of attaching a photo of my friend Sherman Oyler who can be seen wearing what we call a Marine pattern expert rifle badge. Oyler had earned this shooting badge while attending training with the CMTC prior to the US entry into the war. He told me that he wore it because he had earned it honestly and nobody ever told him that he couldn't wear it. Perhaps that is what happened wit hthe sergeant in your photo?

 

Great image. Thank you for sharing it.

Allan

Wow, and to think that I already had two ribbons when I left Sand Hill. I also appreciate the information but I have to ask why would he wear both types of badges on the same uniform?

[Allan H.]

Wow, and to think that I already had two ribbons when I left Sand Hill. I also appreciate the information but I have to ask why would he wear both types of badges on the same uniform?

 

Manchu,

It's a shame you weren't in the air force of you could have had four or five ribbons after your entry level training!

 

I assume that the soldier was wearing both types of shooting badges because that is what he had available at the time. I know I have seen a couple of uniforms over the years that had both types of badges on them, so I would assume it was possibly more common before the war or in the early days of WWII. Remember, a private in the army in 1942 was making $22 a MONTH. If they had to buy a badge at the PX, they would probably spend their pay on cigarettes or candy instead of the shooting badges.

 

Allan

[Allan H.]

Allan that is a cool pic of your friend.Is that THREE PH's? Very cool story

 

Thanks for the comment- Sherm was one heck of a guy, He earned his first PH on the early morning hours of D-Day near Colleville-Sur-Mer. His second PH came in Holland, and his last during the Bulge.

 

Sherm was evacuated back to England shortly after D-Day, but "broke out" of the hospital in England and rode a cargo glider carrying supplies back into Normandy (they weren't just used on the assault). He might be the only soldier in WWII to have arrived in Normandy via parachute AND by glider.

 

Allan

[Manchu Warrior]

 

Manchu,

It's a shame you weren't in the air force of you could have had four or five ribbons after your entry level training!

 

I assume that the soldier was wearing both types of shooting badges because that is what he had available at the time. I know I have seen a couple of uniforms over the years that had both types of badges on them, so I would assume it was possibly more common before the war or in the early days of WWII. Remember, a private in the army in 1942 was making $22 a MONTH. If they had to buy a badge at the PX, they would probably spend their pay on cigarettes or candy instead of the shooting badges.

 

Allan

 

If I remember correctly my son had at least four ribbons when he left Lackland and I appreciate the information. Thanks!!

 

[doyler]

Great photo

 

Not uncommon to see the earlier badges worn and Allan is spot on

 

Also there were gold versions of the shooting badge(cross) and will be seen worn pre WW2 and earlier by the National Guard.

[Manchu Warrior]

Great photo

 

Not uncommon to see the earlier badges worn and Allan is spot on

 

Also there were gold versions of the shooting badge(cross) and will be seen worn pre WW2 and earlier by the National Guard.

 

I appreciate the information. Thanks!!