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Army Enlisted Rank Insignia (Chevrons)


aclfan
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craig_pickrall

This info is from CHEVRONS by William Emerson.

 

The Specialist chevrons were introduced in 1955 and in 1958 3" wide chevrons were approved for wear by male personnel while the original narrow chevrons continued in use by female personnel. This replacement period was from 1958 to 1961.

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Here is a Specialist Second Class (unnamed and unknown) from the mess hall in a picture dated February 19, 1956. He is wearing the 2-inch wide chevron pinned to his hat. With the sword is Brigadier General Holger N. Toftoy, Commanding General of Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. On the right is Major General John B. Medaris, Commanding General of U.S. Army Ballistic Missile Agency at Redstone. General Medaris was a Marine in WWI (note his two overseas service stripes) and he wears the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal and WWI Victory Medal in this picture.

 

post-1963-1200812687.jpg

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  • 2 months later...

The First Sergeant shown in number 20 (white stripes on blue), were used by Civil Air Patrol senior member (adult members) in the 1950's. I don't have the exact dates with me right now, but by the late 1950's these were replaced by standard USAF chevorns. Also note, that in this set of white on blue chevrons, there was a 3 stripe Sergeant , unlike the Army combat/non-combat blue & gold chevrons which didn't have the 3 stripe Sergeant.

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  • 8 months later...

Okay, My first posting, hope it works out.
My pre ww2 Unauthorized Specialist Chevrons, Grade 6-Grade 1. Upper left hand corner, Tank Corps PFC stripe, below them Air Corps PFC stripes.

EDIT: Picture lost

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  • 3 years later...

I have a large collection of chevrons and use Emerson's book as a guide. I spoke with Bill Emerson at the ASMIC convention this past September. He is in fact updating his book and it will be available sometime in the first half of 2013. I have not listed anywhere yet.

 

In the meantime if you have a question about the era and use of a particular chevron please start a post on this site. I find many of the members are willing to share information and it is a good source.

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  • 4 years later...

These are pretty neat, in IMO, and not all that common. Has anyone here seen any of the Tech ranks or 1st Sgt?

I have Tech 5, Tech 4, and 2-rocker First Sergeant, but have never been able to find Tech 3 or 1942 First Sergeant.

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  • 2 months later...

Are the ones in posts # 56 and 58 theater made?

 

No, they are US made. I had the same thought when I first saw them.

 

According to Bill Emerson "The style with twill bars sewn onto the dark twill was never prescribed but during the WW II buildup (1940) and early in the war, the demand was so great for chevrons that this design came into use. "

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No, they are US made. I had the same thought when I first saw them.

 

According to Bill Emerson "The style with twill bars sewn onto the dark twill was never prescribed but during the WW II buildup (1940) and early in the war, the demand was so great for chevrons that this design came into use. "

Indeed, they are quite crude in appearance, like those India made ones in the CBI.

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  • 4 months later...

All of us know that legendary book "Chevrons" by LTC William K. Emerson that was punblished in 1983. It's still has tons of knowledge in it BUT it's outdated, let's say it straight. And then in 2010 Emerson made an updated version of it or it will be honest to say - it's a full re-issue published by Bender Publishing. More than 400 pages of FULL-COLORED photos of chevrons, rare b/w and colored photos and TONS of super-useful info! Today I got my copy of it! And it's AWESOME!!! Check some photos below. I highly recommend to everyone who's in love with collecting chevrons to obtain this masterpiece! Just follow the link: http://www.bender-pu...m/Chevrons.html

 

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  • 1 month later...
sarge62436

I recently picked up this single example of a Specialist First Class/SP6 insignia for the white uniform.

 

post-166489-0-18348200-1526143444_thumb.jpeg

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  • 5 years later...
FlyNavy02

Reviving this old thread with an unusual pair of leather first sergeant chevrons. I believe they date from World War II and thought perhaps they had been sewn to a leather flight jacket. The yellowish  paint on the leather chevrons has flaked in some areas exposing the white leather. I wrote Bill Emerson and, although he had not seen a leather example, he observed that leather grade insignia were worn by officers on leather jackets so why not NCOs.

 

Anyone seen another leather chevron?

 

Thanks for looking and comments appreciated.

 

 

LeatherFirstSergeantChevrons2.jpg.1839435a303a405389d535fc0833dbe4.jpg

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