Posted on Apr 29, 2021
Is the Honorable Discharge "Ruptured Duck" Pin still a thing?
20.1K
152
58
41
41
0
A friend had told me a previous commander he had gave them out to Soldiers as they ETS'd, we were under the impression however that the Honorable Discharge Pin was given to World War II vets upon honorable discharge and was done away with after 1946.
Have you seen units trying to keep this old accoutrements alive? I assume that commander was doing it out of his own pocket.
Have you seen units trying to keep this old accoutrements alive? I assume that commander was doing it out of his own pocket.
Awards
Honorable Discharge
WWII World War Two
Tradition
Military History
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
2
2
0
WWII item, Millions of guys did their time and were given sew ons to designate that they were going home and they could wear the uniform as clothing so they wouldn't be confused with those who were still on active duty. The regulations no longer applied to them. as they were no longer on duty. They were civilians in uniform. The duck lapel pin was an "I served" pin in WW II item. They earned it. They could have made a different one for each action we were involved in, but the budget favored $500 dollar hammers.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Seems like something in the category of challenge coins. Neat to have, but unofficial.
(2)
(0)
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
The ruptured duck actually was official and was an issue item for WWII Veterans and was authorized for wear on the military uniform. Both My Father, a WWII Navy Veteran was issued a Ruptured duck pin as was My Father in Law who was also a WWII Veteran.
The pin was for wear on civilian clothing to Identify Veterans when applying for civilian jobs. the ruptured duck cloth patch however could be worn on the Military uniform of discharged Veterans as many had no civilian clothes yet and would identify their WWII service. My Father had no cloth patch as He remained in the Navy, My Father in law could wear the ruptured Duck patch on his uniform as He was Honorably discharged. I hope that explains the difference.
Challenge coins have never been an issue item even though they may have been handed out by units or person(s) in the chain of command.
The pin was for wear on civilian clothing to Identify Veterans when applying for civilian jobs. the ruptured duck cloth patch however could be worn on the Military uniform of discharged Veterans as many had no civilian clothes yet and would identify their WWII service. My Father had no cloth patch as He remained in the Navy, My Father in law could wear the ruptured Duck patch on his uniform as He was Honorably discharged. I hope that explains the difference.
Challenge coins have never been an issue item even though they may have been handed out by units or person(s) in the chain of command.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
It is my understanding that the gold “Duck” was World War Two era and prior. I’ve done a bunch of research on this pin and all say pretty much the same thing. If it’s official, you had to serve prior to 1946. The various branches adopted different “Honorable Discharge” pins. For personnel who retire, you get a “Retired” pin.
There’s nothing anywhere that I can find that disallows the current use of the pin. As it’s official date of issue ended in 1946, the branches developed their own replacement. Mine are pictured here.
There’s nothing anywhere that I can find that disallows the current use of the pin. As it’s official date of issue ended in 1946, the branches developed their own replacement. Mine are pictured here.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
I have my Dad's WWII pin, but here's what I was issued at each reenlistment between "67 and '88
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
The Ruptured Duck pin was given to military discharged from active duty in the 40’s because there was a shortage of civilian men’s clothing. The pin told the MP’s that ,although they were in uniform, they were no longer considered under military authority.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
My grandfather, who was a WW2 vet, told me they were given to soldiers who were separated as "proof" of their discharge. At the time there were some individuals who would desert or go AWOL to get out of being deployed.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Now that is "old school", I got the MM pin when I got out in 89. Actually I am more proud of my "short-timer's wheels"- from Germany in 88, which you got/wore at thirty days(unofficially) before your PCS . They were these little German Curtain links you hung off a pocket (not all Tops/Smashes were cool with them). No idea if they are still a thing.
(1)
(0)
SPC (Join to see)
Not something I'm familiar with, I'd like us to keep a lot of these old traditions alive if we can.
(1)
(0)
SPC Christopher Perrien
SPC (Join to see) - The Wheels implied that you were in the last 30 days at your unit , and you were "skating" and should not be put on details and such, as such a person would "sham" as much as possible, and not really be a person to put on such duties. They personified being "short" in a unit. Probably the whole foundation of the Spec-4 Mafia , past 1990. Two little wheels hanging under your BDU chest pocket, left side.
Here are some hanging off earlier OD Green fatigues, they were more subtle hanging off the inside flap of BDU's as you could only see the wheels. But as you see the "wheels" started a long ways back, probably in the late 40's-early 1950's for USAEUR occupation troops. I left Germany in 88, and the Wall fell in 89 , They were a thing back then , till we won the Cold war, I guess. :) Many where past on from "short-timer" to next/soon "short-timer" , and as such, some had some long history. I kept mine , as nobody close to me was PCS'ing soon and the curtains in our German barracks were still hanging by a few. LOL (photo is from Pin Interest as to copyright)
Here are some hanging off earlier OD Green fatigues, they were more subtle hanging off the inside flap of BDU's as you could only see the wheels. But as you see the "wheels" started a long ways back, probably in the late 40's-early 1950's for USAEUR occupation troops. I left Germany in 88, and the Wall fell in 89 , They were a thing back then , till we won the Cold war, I guess. :) Many where past on from "short-timer" to next/soon "short-timer" , and as such, some had some long history. I kept mine , as nobody close to me was PCS'ing soon and the curtains in our German barracks were still hanging by a few. LOL (photo is from Pin Interest as to copyright)
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
Its issue was only for those that served prior to 1946 during WWII service and is no longer issued although it can be bought from Commercial sources.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
Common Myths About The Ruptured Duck Pin
Not true. Actually, the plan for a multi-service branch, universal Honorable Discharge Lapel patch originated in 1919 at the close of WWI. The purpose of the patch, and later pin, was to permit Honorably Discharged military personnel to wear their uniform for a period of time after they left military service due to their inability to afford civilian clothes, while at the same time identify themselves as no longer active duty personnel. The pin...
(1)
(0)
SFC William Farrell
I don't believe a thing the American War Library puts out. They only exist to sell certificates to vets who can get official ones through government channels.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google