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The use of the iconic form of identification has its roots in the Civil War.
During the Civil War, the inability of the military to identify battlefield casualties created the need for a soldier identification method.
According to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Foundation, prior to the Battle of Mind Run in northern Virginia 1863, Gen. George Meade’s troops wrote their names and unit designations on paper tags and pinned them to their clothing. At the same time, other soldiers created prototype identification tags out of pieces of wood, perforating one end so that they could be worn on a string around their necks.
During the Civil War, the inability of the military to identify battlefield casualties created the need for a soldier identification method.
According to the U.S. Army Quartermaster Foundation, prior to the Battle of Mind Run in northern Virginia 1863, Gen. George Meade’s troops wrote their names and unit designations on paper tags and pinned them to their clothing. At the same time, other soldiers created prototype identification tags out of pieces of wood, perforating one end so that they could be worn on a string around their necks.
A Brief History Of The Dog Tag
Posted from taskandpurpose.comPosted in these groups: 
Military History
Military History
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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Great article. Thanks for sharing. I still have my enlisted dog tags but lost the ones I wore as an officer. My ex wife probably used them in some voodoo ritual
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
CPT Jack Durish thanks for the post! SMDH, glad you still have one set, their priceless!
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CPT Jack Durish
CSM Charles Hayden - Have you ever heard the biblical tale of Lilith? Mother of Witches. That's my ex...
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Thanks SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL for sharing the history of the dog tag. After church this afternoon, my wife and I enjoyed a fellowship meal with other couples including a WWII Coast Guard veteran of the pacific and a USMC veteran of the early 1960s. I explained that the reason we were issued two dog tags was so that in the event of a combat death one dog tag would be inserted between our teeth [after death with a firm shove of lower jay to make sure it stuck. The other tag would hopefully make it make to be turned over to the personnel casualty system. That was the way it was explained to me in the early 1970's and 1980's and I expect it is true today.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
LTC Stephen F. thanks for sharing and your right, it was the way I was briefed and taught in the military also. Great detail analysis and introspective insight. Sweet!
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Cool history, which I love history. I still wear my tags today anytime I travel due to blood type and drug allergy. And if I die, they know who I am.
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL
SGM Mikel Dawson thanks for the post, it's good to know they still have meaning to some. When I go traveling I will have them on me. Thanks for the inclination! Sweet!
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