USN Eagle/Anchor/Shield pin 10k solid gold 1/2” Info. Please

[Norene]

My step father served during WWII in the US Navy on the SS Enterprise. Upon his passing he bequeathed two pins. He did not speak much of his tours. Can anyone tell me some history on these pins? What they were for? Who would wear them? I found many gold plated/sterling but I have not found them in solid gold. 
Thank you

Norene Rogers

[KurtA]

They represent a USN officer’s hat badge.  But being so small, they are for civilian wear- either a suit lapel pin or a “sweetheart” pin for a woman. 

[Norene]

I was told they are rare. Is that true? 

[KurtA]

7 minutes ago, Norene said:

I was told they are rare. Is that true? 

Being 10K gold, they are certainly not often encountered. Most WW2 pins of this type are sterling, so I guess the term “rare” could apply. Or “scarce”.  If you’re curious about value, it’s all about their gold melt value, which would far exceed their value as lapel/sweetheart pins. Most such pins are in the $10 to $20 range, when not gold.  

[Norene]

Thank you again. I was only looking for some history. Why would he have them in 10k gold? The meaning of them. 
I thank you for the information you provided. Again, thank you.

Norene

[Steve Brannan]

Gold was not that expensive in WW2. Officers bought these type insignia as gifts for their girlfriends, wives, mothers. 

[Dave]

These are often found with a gold chain and attached to the other end is an officer's shoulder board, also in gold. They were nice "sweetheart" gifts for moms, wives, girfriends, etc. At the time, gold was about $36 an ounce ($670 in today's money) and at 10K (41% gold) these were not hugely expensive at the time, For something this small, particularly a piece of jewelry, gold would have been the most common material used (in contrast to, say, gold plate over sterling, etc.)