WWII USNR dog tags with fingerprint?

[stratasfan]

Hi, all! I was just scrolling through an eBay search (for wings, actually) and these popped up. As always, when there is a name, I had to go look on ancestry quickly to see if there was anything on this vet. There are a bunch of Navy records, etc., but what I was wondering . . . why is there a fingerprint on the back of this one? I've never heard of that before. So, I thought someone might know why! Someone is going to get a nice little lot here.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/WW11-US-NAVY-DOG-TAGS-W-ACID-FINGER-PRINT-16-PHOTOS-PATCH-WINGS-PIN-LOT-/252415077035?hash=item3ac51c6aab:g:l9sAAOSw8vZXMl5v

 

 

[Reforger]

The fingerprint was a requirement on Navy and Marine Corps dog tags until 1943. Here's a good page that explains how it was done: http://usmcwwiidogtags.com/about.html

[stratasfan]

Thanks so much! Fabulous link! I'm bookmarking that site! Very interesting about the different way of putting the name and info on, too, compared to the Army.

[Warren]

 

I asked the internet a specific question about early WWII Navy dog tags with Av. Cadet stamped and thumb print. Internet states that they did NOT do both. States that late '41 added Tetanus shot date and blood type. I have one, my father's.

 

[Warren]

After further research I learned that the tetanus shot dates and rank or service number were stamped on USN or USNR dog tags prior to the 7 Dec. '41 attack.