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Was there a WWI discharge patch or medal?


albatrosdva
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Probably a dumb question but I just got a small grouping from a soldier that enlisted in October 1917 and was medically discharged in February 1918 before his unit went overseas. Would he have been sent home in civilian clothing or was there a way to distinguish he was discharged so no one though he was AWOL? It's particularly interesting because he seemed proud of his short service. Kept uniform buttons, American Legion medal, various insignia (collar disc's, some sweetheart pins, son in service pin, wristwatch with shrapnel guard).

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There was a lapel pin/button that was given to discharged men (or purchased after their discharge, I'm not quite sure), but otherwise nothing that would have indicated service beyond his word.  The lapel pin was in bronze for most men, and silver for those who were wounded in action. 

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The discharge pins were ususally issued and many discharges have a stamped notice "lapel button issued" or words to that effect and sometimes indicating bronze or silver.

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