NOK Dog Tag?

[Wlundy]

Acquired this dog tag on a set of two other dogs belonging together. I believe it is a next of kin tag but I'm not completely sure. Just curious what the DEP stands for or if this isn't a NOK tag what is it?

In case the picture comes in illegible it reads:

 

Martha D.

DEP wife of

linhardt Ronald D

AF17411692

Evang Luth

 

[USdog]

Not an NOK. This is a post war 1950’s era Air Force Tag. Looks to have been issued to the veterans wife.

[The_Brick]

DEP stands for Dependent, in this case Dependent Wife of Linhardt Ronald D.

[Wlundy]

Thanks for the replies gents. But what exactly is it and it's purpose if it's not a NOK tag?

[The_Brick]

Identification, like the dependent ID cards feature the sponsor's name and rank (they also used to feature the sponsor's SSN). But there are a variety of variations for those tags. And the most plausible answer I found regarding the purpose was for identification during mass evacuations, but I have heard other stories regarding their use. The following image is from a book entitled "My Dog Tags Are Not A Fashion Statement: An Army Brat comes of age in Post-World War II Germany"by Mary W. Schaller.

This other link may also be of interest as it includes some anecdotes about the use of the tags. https://americanmilitaryfamily.wordpress.com/2012/01/16/brat-identity-the-dog-tag/

But I am sure there are other stories/theories for the use/purpose of the tags that the links do not mention.