Posted on Aug 17, 2019

What does the bird emblem represent on this uniform?

SFC (Join to see)

51.8K

611

158

176

A friend of mine grandfather recently passed, he never liked to talk about his time in the military. So they know nothing about what he did or what his medals are for. He asked me if I could find out what all of his medals and everything were for. I’m only having trouble with this bird. He fought in/during WW2. Any and all information is greatly appreciated.

Posted in these groups:

WWII World War Two 874b922

Infantry

Uniforms

Dress Uniform Us medals

Awards

Posted >1 y ago

Follow this discussion

Responses: 100

Show most popular responses

SSG Christopher Reaves

Posted 6 y ago

After the war there were no civilian clothes, so the war Department let veterans wear their class A uniforms, this patch meant you were a vet.

(0)

Comment

(0)

LT Ed Skiba

Posted 6 y ago

It's the Presidential Unit Citation. I believe the Oakleaf Cluster signifies it was earned in combat.

(0)

Comment

(0)

PO2 John Driskill

Posted 6 y ago

I purchased a silver ring from a pawn shop in Mobile, Alabama years ago with the WW2 discharge eagle. The ring is history now but must have been important to some WW2 vet back then.

(0)

Comment

(0)

LT David Silverman

Posted 6 y ago

Vet of WW2

(0)

Comment

(0)

LT David Silverman

Posted 6 y ago

Vet of WW2

(0)

Comment

(0)

SGT (Join to see)

Posted 6 y ago

1940s World War II green and gold embroidered diamond shaped military insignia with an eagle and circle - The patch is often referred to as the "Ruptured Duck" signifying an Army Honorable Discharge Badge

(0)

Comment

(0)

SSgt Marshall Woolner

Posted 6 y ago

It is the Honorable Service Lapel Patch, intended for servicemen who received an Honorable Discharge during WWII (it had been issued as early as 1919 but became more common at the end of WWII. It indicated that the individual was about to be discharged under honorable condition, and showed MP's and others that they were not AWOL/UA. It also gave them some additional credibility to employers when they sought work. Wearers were entitled to wear their uniform up to thirty days after discharge (there was a clothing shortage). For almost everything you might want to know, here is a link:
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com/theduck.htm

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...

(0)

Comment

(0)

SPC Mitch Saret

Posted 6 y ago

I have always understood it was a victory emblem from war. I think WWI vets also had them too.

(0)

Comment

(0)

LTC George Adams

Posted 6 y ago

Colloquially called the "Ruptured Duck", the official name is "Honorable Service Lapel Button". A similar cloth Honorable Service emblem was worn over the right breast pocket of the uniform of honorably discharged personnel, allowing them to wear their uniforms for up to 30 days following discharge. As MSG Early points out, it was a way of distinguishing discharged personnel from those still on active duty. Read more about it at this Wikipedia link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honorable_Service_Lapel_Button

Honorable Service Lapel Button - Wikipedia

The Honorable Service Lapel Button, sometimes called the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, was awarded to United States military service members who were discharged under honorable conditions during World War II.[1] The award is sometimes colloquially called the Ruptured Duck.[2] Sculptor Anthony de Francisci designed the award.

(0)

Comment

(0)

SGT Jon Schlottman

Posted >1 y ago

Well i believe it represents Good old U.S.the cluster on the unit citation or medal means many times.i couldn't tell if blue or purple. If blue unit citation purple wounded many times,purple heart.sorry its been 50 years since the service for me.

(0)

Comment

(0)

What does the bird emblem represent on this uniform?

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.