We found what we think is my grandfather's EGA. He was a PFC that was slated to be a part of Operation Downfall.




Did WWII enlisted have the two tone EGA? Research on the internet makes me thing this was an officer's EGA. I am really just trying to figure out if this was his or someone else's. Thanks.

As a relative you can request his military records in paper form if they have any. I have my dad's from WWII.

OldArmyCT said:

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As a relative you can request his military records in paper form if they have any. I have my dad's from WWII.

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Thanks, we know his military background (DD214) - he got out in 1946 as a PFC. My main question here is on the Eagle Globe and Anchor that we found. I have his flag and want to make sure when I add the EGA to the display that it is his. My great uncle who was a Chosin Marine, had a gold EGA.

What I found on the Marine Corps website is that the two tone EGA was an officers. From the website:

The enlisted anodized EGA is all gold, symbolizing unity and pride. The officer EGA features both gold and silver, representing leadership and the added responsibilities that come with commission.

I was interested if anyone knew if things may have been different in WWII. Does your dad's look like that one? If so, was he enlisted?

Thanks.

Here is a pic of him in 1945

That appears to be a commissioned officer's cover emblem for the Blue uniform from 1962 or later based on the shape of the eagle's wings and the pattern of the rope fouling the anchor.

The silver and gold emblems have always been only for the officer's Blue uniform. The enlisted emblems on the Blue uniform have always been gold. I WW II, the collar devices did not have the rope fouling the anchor.



According to the MCRD Parris Island Museum, the fouling rope was added first to the enlisted collar emblems in 1955 because they were cast in one piece. The fouling rope made of wire imprinted to look like braided rope was not added to the officer's collar emblems till 1962.

https://www.facebook.com/museum.usmc/posts/part-two-of-two-the-iconic-marine-corps-emblemif-you-didnt-read-part-one-make-su/2772260046379791/

Leave it to the Marine Corps to publish a 181 page historical document on the history of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor from 1868-1968. There are lots of photos, all in black and white. The emblem you have is probably one of those on page 94 or 95.

https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/THE%20EAGLE,%20GLOBE,%20AND%20ANCHOR%201868-1968%20%20PCN%2019000319900.pdf

Ulysses90 said:

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That appears to be a commissioned officer's cover emblem for the Blue uniform from 1962 or later based on the shape of the eagle's wings and the pattern of the rope fouling the anchor.

The silver and gold emblems have always been only for the officer's Blue uniform. The enlisted emblems on the Blue uniform have always been gold. I WW II, the collar devices did not have the rope fouling the anchor.



According to the MCRD Parris Island Museum, the fouling rope was added first to the enlisted collar emblems in 1955 because they were cast in one piece. The fouling rope made of wire imprinted to look like braided rope was not added to the officer's collar emblems till 1962.

https://www.facebook.com/museum.usmc/posts/part-two-of-two-the-iconic-marine-corps-emblemif-you-didnt-read-part-one-make-su/2772260046379791/

Leave it to the Marine Corps to publish a 181 page historical document on the history of the Eagle, Globe, and Anchor from 1868-1968. There are lots of photos, all in black and white. The emblem you have is probably one of those on page 94 or 95.

https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/THE%20EAGLE,%20GLOBE,%20AND%20ANCHOR%201868-1968%20%20PCN%2019000319900.pdf

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Thank you! I found those docs online and it helped me convince my Dad that that EGA was not his Dad's. There are still boxes to go through, so hopefully we can find his WWII EGA's,

The mystery remains where the EGA in the OP came from.

Thanks.