Army and Navy Uniforms and Insignia / How to Know Rank, Corps and Service in the Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Foreign Countries

by Dion Williams

Foreign War Decorations and Medals

The multiplicity of medals and decorations in all foreign countries makes it very difficult to distinguish one from another, especially since the designs and ribbons used by different countries are frequently quite similar. To describe all of these decorations is not practicable within the scope of this volume, but a few of the ones which are classed as distinctively war decorations are included as they are the ones most commonly seen and talked about.

French War Medals.—The French decorations given for war service are the Legion d’honneur (Legion of Honor), the Medaille Militaire (Military Medal) and the Croix de Guerre (War Cross).

The Legion of Honor was inaugurated by Napoleon I at Les Invalides on July 15, 1804, and the medals and ribbons were bestowed upon both soldiers and civilians. The medal consists of a white star with five double rays; the center of the star, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel, bearing on the obverse the head of the Republic surrounded by the words, “République Française, 1870,” and on the reverse two tri-colored flags with the words, “Honneur et Patrie.” Above the star is a small gold wreath and the ribbon is red.

The Medaille Militaire, created by Prince Louis Napoleon in January, 1852, may be bestowed upon Generals and Admirals who have been ministers of the state cabinet or commanders in chief, commanders of Army Corps who have presided over the Superior Council of War and the greatest of the war leaders of France. It is of silver, twenty-eight millimeters in diameter, surmounted by a trophy of arms in silver and suspended by a yellow ribbon with green stripes at the edges. The obverse of the medal bears the head of the Republic surrounded by the words, “République Française, 1870,” and the reverse the words, “Valeur et Discipline.”

The Croix de Guerre, established by law on April 8, 1915, is awarded to soldiers and sailors of all ranks in the service of France and her Allies who perform individual acts of gallantry in operations against the enemy during the present war and are mentioned for such acts in official despatches. The cross is of Florentine bronze, four-armed with two crossed swords between the arms, and is surcharged at the center with a medallion bearing the head of the Republic surrounded by the inscription “République Française” on the obverse and the dates “1914-1915” on the reverse side. The ribbon is green with seven narrow red stripes.

British War Medals.—In Great Britain there are three orders which may be bestowed upon officers by the King—the Order of the Bath, the Order of St. Michael and St. George and the Distinguished Service Order; five crosses or medals which may be awarded to officers or enlisted men of the land forces—the Victoria Cross, the Military Cross, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, the Military Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal; and four crosses or medals which may be bestowed upon officers and enlisted men of the sea forces—the Victoria Cross, the Distinguished Service Cross (corresponding to the Military Cross), the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (corresponding to the Distinguished Conduct Medal), and the Distinguished Service Medal (corresponding to the Military Medal).

Of all of these the one most highly prized by officers and enlisted men alike both on sea and land is the Victoria Cross, which is awarded individually to an officer or enlisted man of the Navy or Army for some signal act of valor and devotion to his country in the presence of the enemy and during action. Whenever it is possible to do so the V. C. is presented in person by the sovereign.

The Victoria Cross.—This decoration consists of a bronze cross pattée with raised edges and it was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1856 during the Crimean War. On the obverse of the cross at the center it is surcharged with a Royal crown surmounted by a lion passant gardant and below the crown there is a semicircular scroll bearing the words, “For Valour.” On the reverse side is engraved the date of its bestowal. The cross is suspended from a ribbon by means of a bar clasp ornamented with laurel leaves and a link in the shape of the letter “V,” and the name, rank and regiment or ship of the recipient is engraved on the reverse side of the clasp. The ribbon is red for the Army and blue for the Navy.

The Distinguished Service Order.—This order was established in 1886 to reward officers of the military and naval services for meritorious or distinguished service in the field before the enemy. It is a gold cross pattée convexed, enamelled white and edged with bright gold. At the center on one side is a wreath of laurel enamelled in green surrounding the Imperial crown enamelled in red, and on the other side at the center a similar wreath surrounding the Royal cypher “G.R.” The ribbon is red edged with blue.

The Distinguished Service Cross.—This is a plain silver cross pattée convexed. On the obverse at the center enclosed within a raised circle is the Imperial cypher “G.R.I.” surmounted by the crown, while the reverse side is plain. The ribbon is blue, white, blue.

Copyright, Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., Phila., Pa.

FOREIGN DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

1. Victoria Cross, Great Britain

2. Distinguished Service Order, Great Britain

3. Legion of Honor, France

4. Military Medal, France

Croix de Guerre (War Cross), France

The Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.—The medal, established during the Crimean War, is of silver, with the effigy of the reigning sovereign on one side and a laurel wreath encircling the words, “For Conspicuous Gallantry,” surmounted by a crown on the other side. It is awarded to Warrant Officers, Midshipmen, Naval Cadets and Clerks in the Royal Navy for conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy. The ribbon is blue, white, blue.

The Distinguished Service Medal.—This medal was established October 14, 1914, to reward petty officers and men of the Royal Navy and noncommissioned officers and men of the Royal Marines for courageous service in action during the present war. It is of silver and the obverse bears the effigy of King George V., while the reverse bears a wreath encircling the words, “For Distinguished Service,” surmounted by a crown. The ribbon is blue with two narrow white stripes through the center.

The Military Cross.—This decoration was established in December, 1914, to reward captains, lieutenants and warrant officers of the Army for deeds of valor or distinguished services in the present war. The cross is of silver and each arm bears the Imperial crown while at the center the Imperial cypher “G.R.I.” appears. The ribbon is white, blue, white.

The Military Medal.—This silver medal was authorized by the King in March, 1916, to be awarded to officers and enlisted men of the Army for conspicuous bravery in the field after recommendation by the commanding general in the field. Its obverse bears the Royal effigy and the reverse a wreath encircling the words, “For Bravery in the Field,” surmounted by a crown. The ribbon is blue, white, blue, with two narrow rod stripes through the central white stripe.

Belgian War Medals.—The decorations and medals awarded in Belgium for war service embrace the Order of Leopold, the Croix Militaire (Military Cross), the Medaille Militaire (Military Medal), the Ordre de la Courenne (Order of the Crown), the Order of Leopold II., the Belgian War Cross and the Medal of Queen Elizabeth.

The Order of Leopold.—This order was instituted by King Leopold I. in 1832, to “reward services rendered to the country.” It is only bestowed upon officers of high rank except in very exceptional cases. It consists of a white enamelled Maltese cross resting upon a green wreath of oak and laurel, surmounted by two crossed swords and a Royal crown. On the obverse at the center is a gold lion rampant on a black circular ground surrounded by the words, “L’Union fait la force.” The color of the ribbon is Royal purple.

The Belgian War Cross.—This cross is made of bronze and is modelled after the French Croix de Guerre. It is bestowed upon officers and men who are mentioned in General Orders for conspicuous acts of gallantry in the field during the present war. It was established October 25, 1915.

The Medal of Queen Elizabeth.—This medal, founded by resolution of September 9, 1916, is bestowed in the name of the Queen upon Belgians or foreigners who have devoted themselves to war work in Belgium.

Italian War Medals.—In Italy there are four Orders, the Order of Annunziata, the Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, the Military Order of Savoy, and the Order of the Crown of Italy; and a number of military and naval medals, including the Sardinian Medal of the Crimea, the Order of the Thousand of Garibaldi fame, the Medal Commemorating the Unity of Italy, the Medal of the African Campaign, the Medal of the Extreme Orient and the Messina Medal, the latter given to those who distinguished themselves at the time of the Messina earthquake in 1908.

The Order of Savoy.—This military order was founded by Victor Emmanuel I. in 1815, to reward services in war on land and sea, and its cross is highly prized. It consists of a white enamelled cross resting upon an enamelled wreath and surmounted by a gold trophy of arms and flags. At the center is a cross surrounded by the words, “Al Merito Militare.” The ribbon is dark blue with a broad red stripe.

The Order of the Crown of Italy.—This order was created in 1868 by Victor Emmanuel II. to reward Italians and foreigners who render conspicuous services to Italy. The cross is of white enamel resting on gold scrolls and bears at the center an iron crown. It is awarded to officers of high rank for services in war.

The Medal for Military Valor.—This medal of two classes, gold and silver, corresponds to the French Croix de Guerre, and is awarded to soldiers and sailors for conspicuous acts of gallantry in action in the presence of the enemy. The gold medal is very rarely bestowed except as an honor to the memory of a soldier or sailor who has lost his life in the execution of the deed which the medal commemorates. The ribbon is blue.

Japanese War Medals.—Japan has several orders, the first and best known one being the Order of the Rising Sun, created in 1876. It is the great national Japanese order and is divided into eight classes, being awarded to officials, officers and rarely to civilians. In the military and naval services the first six classes are awarded to officers and the last two to enlisted men. The decoration consists of a medallion enshrined a cabochon garnet, placed in the center of eight white enamelled rays bezelled in gold and silver, and it is suspended from a gold paulownia leaf. The ribbon is white with narrow red edges.

The Order of the Golden Kite.—This order was founded by Emperor Mutsuhito in 1891, to reward acts of especial bravery in battle on land or sea. The decoration consists of a blue enamelled cross surrounded by clustered rays of red enamel, surcharged upon a silver sword from the guard of which rises a golden kite. The ribbon is green with a narrow white stripe near each edge.

In addition to the decorations of the orders there are a number of war medals in bronze awarded to officers and men for participation in the campaigns of the war with China and the war with Russia.

War Medals of Germany.—Germany has many orders and medals but the one best known as a war medal is the Iron Cross, founded in 1813, to be given to both soldiers and civilians for services to the country. It was revived in 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War. The decoration consists of a black iron cross pattée with a silver edge. At the center is the letter “W”, on the upper arm a crown and on the lower arm the date 1870 for the crosses awarded in that year and 1914 for those awarded in the present war. There are three classes in the order, the size of the cross varying with the class. The ribbon is black with white stripes near each edge for medals awarded to soldiers or sailors and the reverse for those awarded to civilians. The Iron Cross has been lavishly bestowed upon soldiers and sailors in the present war.

Copyright, Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., Phila., Pa.

FOREIGN DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

1. Military Order of Savoy, Italy

2. Order of Leopold, Belgium

3. Order of St. James of the Sword, Portugal

4. Order of the White Eagle, Serbia

Copyright, Bailey, Banks & Biddle Co., Phila., Pa.

FOREIGN DECORATIONS AND MEDALS

1. Order of Francis Joseph, Austria

2. Iron Cross, Germany

3. Order of Medjidie, Turkey

4. Order of St. Alexander, Bulgaria

Austrian War Medals.—Austria has many orders and decorations, the Order of Francis Joseph being frequently conferred upon high officers for conspicuous service in war. In addition there are distinguished service medals of gold, silver and bronze, according to the importance of the service rewarded, gold and silver medals for bravery in action, and, for services in war alone, the War Decoration for officers and the War Medal for enlisted men.

Turkish War Medals.—Turkey has awarded many decorations and medals upon her own soldiers and sailors as well as upon those of her allies in different wars and upon citizens of other nations in peace time. The best known of her orders are the Order of the Medjidie and the Order of Osmanieh.

The Order of the Medjidie.—The decoration of this order consists of a seven-pointed star of cut silver, each point being composed of five rays. Between the points there are seven small crescents and stars and at the center on a gold background is the Sultan’s cypher surrounded by a circle of red enamel bearing an inscription in Turkish.

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SEAL OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

CHAPTER XII
UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS

By the terms of the Geneva Convention held at Geneva, Switzerland, in 1864, all hospitals, hospital ships, surgeons, members of the hospital corps, nurses, chaplains and all persons engaged exclusively with the removal, transportation and treatment of the sick and wounded in war are rendered neutral. The emblem used to mark hospitals and ambulances is the white flag with the red Greek cross in the center as described [on page 62].

Following this Convention Red Cross Societies were established in several countries, taking their name from the red cross on the hospital flag. The movement has been extended throughout the world and to-day every civilized country has its Red Cross Society, an International Red Cross Committee at Geneva being the means of intercommunication between the different national bodies.

The National Red Cross was founded at Washington, D. C., on October 1, 1881, incorporated under the laws of the District of Columbia and reincorporated April 17, 1893. Under the name of the American Red Cross it was finally incorporated in 1905. The original founder was Miss Clara Barton.

As at present constituted the American Red Cross is officered by a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Counselor, Secretary-General, General Manager, and Comptroller; the President being the President of the United States. There is a Central Committee, consisting of a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and one representative from each of the Departments of State, Treasury, War, Navy and Justice, appointed by the President; six members elected by the Board of Incorporators, and six members elected by Delegates. There is an Executive Committee elected by the Central Committee and a War Council of seven members appointed by the President.

The War Council announces that the present work of the Red Cross should contribute to the following aims:—

1. To be ready to care for our soldiers and sailors on duty wherever and whenever that care may be needed.

2. To shorten the War—by strengthening the morale of the allied peoples and their armies, by alleviating their sufferings in the period which must elapse until the American army can become fully effective abroad.

3. To lay foundation for an enduring peace—by extending a message of practical relief and sympathy to the civilian population among our Allies, carrying to them an expression of the finest side of the American character.

The war work is divided into two main parts, the principal purposes of which are summarized by the Council as follows:—

The Work in the United States.—

1. To take such measures as are necessary, in cooperation with the Army and Navy, for the protection of the health and welfare of soldiers in camps and cantonments, and of civilians whose welfare is involved in war conditions.

2. To stimulate and guide the volunteer work of women in the manufacture of supplies and comforts needed by troops and civilians abroad and by men in training in this country.

3. To co-operate with the Government and with all relief agencies in caring for the dependent families of men in the military and naval service, and to relieve suffering caused by any disaster.

4. To maintain at the lowest cost consistent with efficiency, machinery to assure the uninterrupted performance of these duties and of the relief work in Europe.

The Work in Europe.—

1. To do everything possible to assist our Army and Navy in insuring the health and comfort of American soldiers and sailors abroad.

2. To relieve suffering among the armies and destitution among the needy civilian populations of our Allies.

The cooperation of the American Red Cross with the medical service of the Army and Navy consists of recruiting, organizing and equipping base hospital and other hospital and ambulance units to be called into service when required by the Army or Navy Medical Corps; handling special problems of health and sanitation in connection with the cantonments, camps and naval stations; stimulating the manufacture of surgical dressings and hospital supplies of all kinds; and promoting the comfort and welfare of the men in training or en route from their homes to camps and training stations.

Photo. Harris & Ewing, Washington, D. C.

American Red Cross. Officers’ service uniform

When base hospitals and other organizations recruited, equipped and trained by the Red Cross are taken over by the Army or Navy for active service they become a part of such service and wear the uniform thereof; but officials of the Red Cross assigned to duty with the military establishments to perform such duties as are assigned to them under the orders of the Secretary of War are required to wear the regulation uniform and insignia of the American Red Cross as approved by the War Department. Such officials have the status of officers in the Army while so serving at the camps and stations and they are accredited to the Division Commander and are subject to his authority and to military laws and regulations.

UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA OF MEMBERS OF
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS FIELD SERVICE

The authorized uniform for the members of the American Red Cross Field Service is made of cloth or serge of the same color as that used by the U. S. Marine Corps for winter field uniforms, the shade being a grayish olive green known as “forestry-green.”

For the officers, Division Directors of Military Relief and Assistants, Field Directors of Camp Service, Assistant Field Directors of Camp Service, Associate Field Directors, Hospital Service, Associate Field Directors, Home Service, and other Assistants, the uniform consists of an overcoat, Norfolk jacket, riding breeches, flannel shirt, black necktie, field hat or cap, grey gloves, and tan leather shoes and leggings or tan leather field boots.

The coat is a single-breasted, four-buttoned plain Norfolk jacket, of forestry-green cloth, having a notch collar and soft lapels, the skirts extending half way from the point of the hip to the bend of the knee, with a two-inch belt of the same material as the jacket stitched around the waist and a vent in the center of the back extending from the belt to the lower edge of the skirt. The jacket has four outside patch pockets with a two-inch box pleat down the center and a three-pointed flap fastened at the center by a small button. On each shoulder there is a strap of the same material as the jacket, let in at the top of the sleeve seam and reaching to the edge of the collar where it is buttoned with a small button, the dimensions of the strap being two inches in width at the shoulder seam and one inch in width at the collar end, the collar end being rounded. On each shoulder strap is worn a Greek cross of red cloth or silk embroidery, the cross being three-quarters of an inch over all and placed with its center one and one-eighth inches above the shoulder seam. All of the buttons are plain flat green buttons matching the color of the jacket. The initials A. R. C. in plain block letters of bronze are worn on each side of the collar one inch above the notch in the lapel. The various grades of officers are shown by stripes of black mohair braid sewn around the lower part of each sleeve of the jacket.

The breeches are of forestry-green cloth cut loose in the thigh and tight from the knee down, laced or buttoned below the knee with laces or buttons of the same color as the cloth of the breeches, with strappings of the same material or of buckskin of a color to match on the inside of the leg and knee.

The cap is of forestry-green cloth and of the same style and dimensions as the regulation cap for officers of the U. S. Army, the band covered with green mohair braid to match the color of the cap, the visor and chin strap being of dark tan leather and the buttons of plain bronze. A Greek cross of red enamel is worn on the center of the front of the cap.

The field hat is the same as that worn by officers of the U. S. Army and with it the officers of the American Red Cross wear a plain black hat cord.

The flannel shirt is of the same design as that worn by officers of the U. S. Army but the color is forestry-green. When the shirt is worn without the jacket the initials A. R. C. in bronze block letters and a small enamel red cross are worn on each side of the shirt collar, the letters being in front. A light weight shirt of madras or cotton of the same color and style as the flannel shirt may be worn.

The overcoat for officers is a double-breasted sack overcoat of knee length made of forestry-green cloth. It has a turn-down notched collar with soft lapels, two horizontal side pockets with straight flaps, and shoulder straps similar to those on the jacket but slightly larger. On each of these shoulder straps is worn a Greek cross of red cloth or silk embroidery. The buttons of the overcoat are plain bone buttons of a color to match the coat. On each side of the collar one inch above the notch in the lapel the initials A. R. C. in plain bronze block letters are worn. The various grades of officers are indicated by stripes of black mohair braid around the sleeves as in the case of the jacket.

The tan leather shoes, leggings and field boots are the same as those prescribed for the officers of the U. S. Army.

Insignia of Rank.—The grade or rank of the officers of the American Red Cross is indicated by stripes of black mohair braid on the lower part of the sleeves of the jacket, overcoat and field shirt. The stripes on the sleeves of the overcoat and jacket are each one-quarter of an inch wide, set one-half of an inch apart, extend entirely around the sleeve and the lower stripe is two inches from the lower edge of the cuff. The stripes on the sleeves of the field shirt are of the same width and are set at the same distance apart but instead of encircling the sleeve they are two inches long and sewn on the outer side of the sleeve.

The number of stripes for the different grades is as follows:—

Division Director of Military Relief	4 stripes.
1st Assistant Division Director of Military Relief	3 stripes.
2nd Assistant Division Director of Military Relief	2 stripes.
3rd Assistant Division Director of Military Relief	1 stripe.
Field Director of Camp Service	3 stripes.
Assistant Field Director of Camp Service	2 stripes.
Associate Field Director, Hospital Service	2 stripes.
Associate Field Director, Home Service	2 stripes.
Other Assistants	1 stripe.

The uniform for personnel of the American Red Cross other than Field Directors and Assistants consists of an overcoat, Norfolk jacket, breeches, flannel shirt, black necktie, field hat, sweater, tan leather shoes, canvas leggings and grey leather or knit gloves. The overcoat, jacket, breeches and flannel shirt are made of forestry-green after the same style and design as those already described for the officers, the sweaters are knit from forestry-green wool, the canvas leggings are green in color to match the breeches and the field hat is the same as that prescribed for officers except that no hat cord is worn.

American Red Cross. Workroom uniform with colored veil

American Red Cross. Motor service uniform

A Greek cross of red cloth is worn on both sleeves of the jacket, overcoat and shirt four and one-half inches above the lower edge of the cuff, the cross on the jacket and overcoat being one and one-half inches over all and that on the shirt one inch over all.

The initials A. R. C. in bronze block letters are worn on both sides of the collars of the jacket and overcoat and the same initials and a small enamel red cross are worn on both sides of the collar of the field shirt when it is worn without the jacket, the initials being placed in front of the red cross.

UNIFORMS AND INSIGNIA FOR RED CROSS WOMEN WORKERS
IN THE UNITED STATES

The American Red Cross has authorized the wearing of distinctive uniforms by the women workers engaged in the various Red Cross Chapter activities, other than nursing and hospital service, in order that these workers may be readily recognized as such throughout the United States and also for protective and hygienic reasons. The wearing of these uniforms is optional on the part of any member entitled to wear them, but as the right to wear them carries with it the assumption of responsibility for the organization both efficiency and esprit de corps should be greatly aided by the use of the uniforms.

Permission to wear these uniforms is granted by the executive committee of each Red Cross Chapter. No person under eighteen years of age is granted permission to wear the Workroom uniform, in the Motor and Clerical service the minimum age is twenty-one years and in the Canteen service it is twenty-three years. Everyone before being granted a permit to wear any of the official Red Cross uniforms is required to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.