Reforger Posted October 25, 2017 #51 Posted October 25, 2017 So, I just got this one. It is supposedly from a Korean War vet. While I'm familiar with the solid brass rank insignia, this one is higher quality and stamped. It is definitely Korean made, but I haven't seen any other US rank insignia made like this. The last two photos show it with a Korean insignia for comparison. Does anyone here happen to have some as well?
MattS Posted October 25, 2017 #53 Posted October 25, 2017 Donated to Museum of the Soldier by a local Korean War veteran who was wounded by a landmine on May 7th, 1952 near Kumwha.
SgtMaddoxUSMC Posted August 20, 2019 #54 Posted August 20, 2019 HardstripeIs your small SSgt a red USMC one? From Post #45
SgtMaddoxUSMC Posted October 25, 2019 #55 Posted October 25, 2019 check it out guys! Finally located a photo of these ranks being worn by Marines.https://www.flickr.com/photos/usmcarchives/12836540574/in/photostream/?fbclid=IwAR26JM7bIMYlPtAH4SZ6Kh0fcMxgCE6HwN_vdVhsSPcl96-tQ77iVhks5OU
Reforger Posted September 2, 2020 #56 Posted September 2, 2020 Ok, I think here is one we've all been waiting to see. Korean made Air Force Rank Insignia. This badge is full size and made just like the other ones. It's hard enough finding Korean made Army and Marine Corps insgnia, but these Air Force ones are just about impossible to come by. Below the badge is an awesome photo showing an Airman in Korea, 1953, wearing one of these badges. You can also see a badge attached to the hat in the background. Enjoy. Source: https://flashbak.com/46-gi-snapshots-of-the-korean-war-in-color-400668/
SgtMaddoxUSMC Posted September 2, 2020 #57 Posted September 2, 2020 awesome! had no idea these existed! now we just have to wait til a navy version surfaces
Reforger Posted September 20, 2020 #59 Posted September 20, 2020 I now have an almost complete Army set. The master sergeant and sergeant badges took a while to find. Still need a first sergeant to complete the set, anyone have one they want to part with? The sergeant insignia is interesting because the three chevrons didn't exist during the Korean War (at least not in the Army). That is probably why you see so few of them. It could be that it is from the late 50's after they reintroduced the three chevrons. Another option could be that a Marine wanted a "subdued" sergeant insignia, so they painted it Army dark blue for him. Or some Army sergeant wanted the old three chevrons for some reason. I guess we'll never know for sure. If you look at the back of the sergeant badge, you can see red paint like you find on the Marine Corps version. So they were definitely painting both the Army and USMC insignia at the same place and time.
Reforger Posted May 15, 2021 #60 Posted May 15, 2021 Here is another rare Korean made badge I just got: Airman 3rd Class! Made just like the other ones. Having a complete set would be great but I don't think that will ever happen. These are just too rare. Does anyone else have some rare ranks they would like to show?
VMI88 Posted January 26, 2023 #63 Posted January 26, 2023 Does anyone recognize these chevrons? They're smaller and seem more finely made than the rest of the chevrons in this thread, but definitely seem handmade. I'd guess maybe China from the construction but I've never seen others like this. Does anyone have any information?
patches Posted February 23, 2023 #65 Posted February 23, 2023 The Army Pfc one worn by this GI with Billy Graham during his trip in December 1952. Note Graham wears a Chaplain BOS on his Pile Cap, Graham of course not in the Army, though he tried to enlist in WWII as a Chaplain but failed the physical or something and was rejected for military service.
patches Posted April 24, 2024 #66 Posted April 24, 2024 A 1st Sergeant, the Battle of Bunker Hill, August 1952, thee 1st Sergeant of Company F 1st Marines, we know this as he wears one of those Korean Made Metal Ranks on the front of his Flak Jacket. See
patches Posted June 26, 2024 #67 Posted June 26, 2024 A Corporal wearing the type in 1953 in Korea, unit unknown.
SgtMaddoxUSMC Posted June 26, 2024 #68 Posted June 26, 2024 Interesting that he appears to be wearing the USMC version with the red paint instead of the army version with the black paint!
Spartan19 Posted June 26, 2024 #69 Posted June 26, 2024 1 minute ago, SgtMaddoxUSMC said: Interesting that he appears to be wearing the USMC version with the red paint instead of the army version with the black paint! Is it possible that he is a Marine?
patches Posted June 26, 2024 #70 Posted June 26, 2024 Nah, he's Army, I see it too that Red, but it is just a photo thing, a bit of sun glare off the Brass, plus he's wearing the Ridgeway Cap.
SgtMaddoxUSMC Posted June 30, 2024 #71 Posted June 30, 2024 Yeah, I agree, definitely army. He probably just picked up the Marine version of the chevron cause he liked the red better, maybe because it stood out better. They were all produced together and were unofficial anyway so very likely he just liked that version so he wore it. I am still trying to find examples of all the smaller versions of the red Marine Corps ones. Certainly harder to find than the larger ones.
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