1950's era Ranks

[Frank Odin]

My higest rank attained on my DD214 says SP3 E-4. I've been informed this rank was dicarded in 1958. What was the new equal rank known as that replaced this?

[Justin B.]

Specialist 4, the number in the specialist title referring to the pay grade.

 

Justin B.

[Frank Odin]

Thanks Justin. That's what I thought but I got confused because there was a SP4 E-4 in 1959 which refers to equal pay grade as Corporal with an arch across the top of the patch which mine as a SP3 E-4 didn't have. My arm patch just had the eagle and no arch and in 1959 I lost my rank and was honorably discharged but as PvtE2. Don't ask why the demotion, let me just say my CO was an unsympathic .......... well I don't want to say it, you fill in the blank.

[Justin B.]

Yeah, when the specialist were set up they were similar to navy petty officers:

 

E-4 = Specialist 3rd Class = Petty Officer 3rd Class

E-5 = Specialist 2nd Class = Petty Officer 2nd Class

E-6 = Specialist 1st Class = Petty Officer 1stClass

E-7 = Master Specialist = Chief Petty Officer

 

When E-8 and E-9 came along instead of creating more titles they just went with numbers for every grade.

 

Here is a chart that shows how the army enlisted ranks, pay grades, titles and stripes changed in the 20th century.

 

Justin B.

[Frank Odin]

Thank you Justin for the external link to the chart. It made it easier for me to understand then all the different right ups I read on the subject. However it really bothers me even more to have been busted from the 1959 E-4 to PvtE2 just 3 months before getting an Honorable Discharge after six years of service. (Two 3 year enlistments.) If that didn't happen I would have signed up for another 3 years but I was pretty teed off. Well as they say all things work out for the best and I've had a wonderful and a great career as a New York City Police Officer for 20 years followed by 16 years as an aircraft rump'y electrical overhaul technician. Also a wonderful wife, six children, 11 grand children and one great grand child. So I say "NUTS" to that CO. I really don't hold any grudge against him. I did what I believed I had to do and he did what he thought had to be done. Thanks again Justin..

[Frank Odin]

Spelling correction - I don't know how I typed "rump'y" when I meant "accessory".