Army Distinctive Unit Insignia

My Cool Old Stuff

Left to right: pre-WWII post and screw back, WWII period pin back,WWII period open clutch pin back, post WWII German Manufacture pin back, Vietnam era clutch back.

505th Parachute Infantry Regiment

The United States Army distinctive unit insignia (DI or DUI), or unit crest, were authorized in the early 1900s for wear on officers mess uniforms. The practice eventually expanded to all dress uniforms, officer and enlisted. During part of WWII (1943-1945) the manufacture of crests was prohibited. With the end of the war DIs were manufactured by many companies in Britain, Germany, and Italy. A great article about Distinctive Unit Insignia Dr. Howard G. Lanham can be found here: Dating Metallic Insignia