Was there ever a time where jump wings were worn on the beret?

2019-07-31T09:53:18-04:00

In a discussion with some supposed veterans and one asked when we stopped wearing jump wings on the beret. Now, I didn’t come in until 1997, so I wanted to ask the older vets on here - was there EVER a time where airborne soldiers wore wings on the beret? I thought that was just a Hollywood thing, but I didn’t want to speak out of turn if I was wrong.

Response by MAJ Milan George made Jul 31 at 2019 10:31 AM

2019-07-31T10:31:45-04:00

I don't know, but if there were, it would make getting your "blood wings" a whole lot more traumatic!!

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 31 at 2019 11:13 AM

2019-07-31T11:13:00-04:00

As far as I know, SFC Justin Scott, jump wings were never worn on the maroon beret. By the time this beret was fielded, the unit flash was used beneath the DUI for enlisted and rank for officers. This precedent was set by Special Forces, because the flashes were an SF creation. Even before, when garrison caps were worn by airborne units, the glider patch was worn on one side with rank or the DUI on the other. No jump wings.
However, in the early days of Special Forces, prior to creation of flashes, jump wings were worn on the green beret.
Here's a c. 1956 photo of LTC (then CPT) Wallace V. Kinsaul, now deceased. He was a member of the cadre from the 77th Special Forces Group that formed the 1st SFG(A) in Okinawa. He was one of the first to wear the green beret and also served with the 503rd PIR at Corregidor during WWII.
(The information and photos were provided by COL(ret) Phil Davis, the brother-in-law of the late Wallace Kinsaul, a founding member of the 20th SFG(A) and a good friend of mine. He was attending the "Q" course at Fort Bragg on 12OCT61 when JFK visited then Brigadier General William P. Yarborough and "approved" the green beret.)

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 31 at 2019 11:23 AM

2019-07-31T11:23:48-04:00

Possibly before I came in and 84 but not from then on of that I’m sure

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Jul 31 at 2019 11:40 AM

2019-07-31T11:40:52-04:00

They were worn on the Garrison Cap with the Green Class A

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2019 12:05 PM

2019-07-31T12:05:30-04:00

92R parachute rigger AIT students wear their jump wings on their beret.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jul 31 at 2019 1:50 PM

2019-07-31T13:50:06-04:00

Yes, there are several examples of 1950's and early 60's Soldiers with them displayed on the beret.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Jul 31 at 2019 3:03 PM

2019-07-31T15:03:17-04:00

I am not sure about with the beret; however, during the late 70's the Chief of Staff took away the maroon beret and Airborne personnel wore wings on their fatigues baseball cap instead of a unit crest.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2019 10:32 AM

2019-08-04T10:32:17-04:00

Riggers wear jump wings on their berets during AIT

Response by SSG John Jensen made Aug 6 at 2019 11:59 PM

2019-08-06T23:59:46-04:00

there was a time without the beret that wings were worn on the cap above the rank