Excerpt from AR 670‐1: 3 February 2005 

28–29. Brassards a. Brassards are worn as identification to designate personnel who are required to perform a special task or to deal with the public. Brassards are made of cloth; they are 17 to 20 inches long and 4 inches wide and of colors specified. When more than one color is specified for the brassard, the colors are of equal width and run lengthwise on the brassard. Brassards are worn on the left sleeve of the outer garment, with the bottom edge of the brassard approximately 2 inches above the elbow (see fig 28–150). b. Descriptions of current authorized brassards. (1) Acting noncommissioned officer brassard. The brassard consists of gold-colored chevrons on a dark blue background. Trainees or candidates acting as noncommissioned officers in schools or training centers wear this brassard. (See figs 28–151 and 28–152 for the sergeant and corporal brassards.)

Figure 28–151. Brassard, sergeant

Figure 28–152. Brassard, corporal 

Brassards with superimposed Chevrons (10 Nov 1941)

Brassard, with Insignia, Sleeve, Chevron, Service, wool (olive-drab device on dark blue back) superimposed, Corporal per Acting Corporal, for wear by trainees acting as Noncommissioned Officers at Replacement Training Centers and in the Army Specialized Training Programs, also at all Schools and Training Centers for the Army Ground Forces, Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces Brassard, with Insignia, Sleeve, Chevron, Service, wool (olive-drab device on dark blue back) superimposed, Sergeant per Acting Sergeant, for wear by trainees acting as Noncommissioned Officers at Replacement Training Centers and in the Army Specialized Training Programs, also at all Schools and Training Centers for the Army Ground Forces, Army Air Forces, and Army Service Forces

Brassards formally introduced by the WD and in use at Schools & Training Centers (from left to right) Acting Sergeant (three olive-drab chevrons on dark blue brassard) Acting Colonel (three yellow parallel stripes on dark blue brassard) Acting Second Lieutenant (one white stripe on dark blue brassard)

while Brassards for Acting NCOs were made of dark blue cloth – those for Acting Officers were not only made of dark blue cloth, but were also issued in olive-drab material Remark : as per AR 600-35, similar brassards were introduced 15 Mar 1943 (extension of Officer Training programs), they consisted of colored, yellow or white stripes, sewed parallel with the long side of the dark blue or olive-drab armband, and were used by Candidate Officers temporarily assigned as Acting Officers at Schools and Training Centers (OCS however, had their own brassard with distinctive OCS design)

Excerpt from “Strictly G.I. (Re-enactors Web site) http://strictly-gi.com/page2.html

“ BRASSARDS “

A “Brassard” or “Armband” is a distinctive band of cloth usually worn around the upper part of a sleeve, between elbow and shoulder, for identification purposes (usually adorned with an identifying mark or insignia), or for mourning . “Brassards” or “Armbands” were worn by certain troops in order to identify the ‘organization’ to which they belonged (sometimes temporarily), and to underline their ‘special duties’ in the field or elsewhere . According to Army Regulations (see AR 600-35) all Brassards were to be made of cloth (mostly wool felt), 18 inches in length and 4 inches in width, hemmed, and stitched (25 November 1924) . Fixing was mostly done by a single large safety pin . A single Brassard was to be worn on the left sleeve, above the elbow . One of the very first Brassards used by the United States Army, was the one representing the “Geneva Convention” (i.e. Red Cross), introduced back in 1884 … When it consisted of more than ONE color, the colors had to be of equal width and had to run lengthwise of the Brassard itself . Generally speaking, only a limited number of Brassards were officially introduced, others, although sometimes authorized by local Commanders and/or regional units, were semi-official, since only effectively used in the field by limited organizations, or for persons detailed to specific duties, and these were consequently never mentioned in the AR, moreover these Armbands did not always respect Army Regulations and Specifications !

some of the official Brassards as illustrated in The Officer ’s Guide – 11th Edition, 1945

The following listing includes both ‘official’ and less ‘official’ items, such as : General Staff Corps Official versions were already in use since 14 October 1924, again introduced in 1941 with modifications, to be worn by General Staff Officers . Letters “GSC” in rounded block type symbols, 1 inch high, to be placed in the center of the Brassard (they replaced the older versions, based on WWI often still made of silk, with fine wire embroidered GSC (eagle/star) insignia, and/or branch of service indication) with following distinctions : Divisions > Red Brassard with White “GSC” block letters centered Corps & Service Commands > Blue (top) and White (bottom) Brassard, divided lengthwise, with Red “GSC” block letters centered Armies > White (top) and Red (bottom) Brassard, divided lengthwise, with Blue block letters centered Headquarters Field Forces & War Department > Blue - White – Red (top to bottom) Brassard, divided lengthwise, with Blue “GSC” block letters centered (all GSC brassards cancelled in 1950) Armies, Corps Introduced in 1940-1941, often used during Army Maneuvers, to be worn by Officers only . Armies > White (top) and Red (bottom) Brassard, divided lengthwise, with superimposed Red (top) respectively White Arabic numerals centered, indicating Army number Corps > Blue (top) and White (bottom) Brassard, divided lengthwise, with superimposed White (top) respectively Blue Roman numerals centered, indicating Army Corps number

Third US Army Brassard XXth US Army Corps Brassard

Army General Staff Corps Brassard

Bomb Disposal Personnel Brassard US Army Transportation Corps Brassard Chemical Warfare Service Gas Brassard

Maneuvers Introduced in April 1940, and principally worn during Army Maneuvers and/or Training, to identify opposing parties . Plain Red, or Blue Brassards for Red and Blue Forces, and plain White Brassards for Umpires . Observers, neutral parties, press, and invitees wore a Green Brassard (often locally- made by QMC personnel, their dimensions varied from 2” x 15” up to 5” x 20” armbands) Military Police Already used since 1916, modified in 1917 and 1918, and again introduced 10 November 1941 with subsequent modifications . Dark Blue Brassard, with White block “MP” letters, 2 ½ inches high (modified in the 1950s) Auxiliary Military Police Introduced in 1942 . White Brassard, with Dark Blue word “AUXILIARY MILITARY POLICE”, 3/4 inch high (worn by additional civilian personnel, guarding Military/Civilian Plants and Installations) Personnel in Military Service, rendered Neutral by the Terms of the Geneva Convention in Time of War Already introduced 14 October 1921 . Standardized 25 November 1924 as a White cotton Brassard, with Red (Greek) Geneva Cross, 3 inches wide, and properly stamped with reference to Article 21 of International Red Cross Convention, Geneva, 1929 – and with the bearer’s appropriate Identity Card Number (for reasons of enhanced identification, medics started wearing Brassards on both arms around mid-1944) Veterinary Service Introduced 13 December 1939, similar Brassard to the one described above, except with a Green (Greek) Cross . White Brassard, with Green Cross (mules and horses were still in use during WWII, not only in the CBI Theater, but also in Sicily and Italy)

Chaplain Introduced in 1944 . Although unofficial, some Chaplains had an armband made to identify their ‘trade’, i.e. this brassard reflected the official-issue Chaplain’s flag (dark blue rectangular flag with white Christian-Faith cross) . Dark Blue Brassard, with White (Greek) Cross centered (not very often illustrated in period documentation) . Chaplains often performed ‘medical’ tasks, and therefore wore the std. Geneva Convention Brassard Men on Recruiting Duty Introduced 14 October 1921 . Dark Blue Brassard, with the words “RECRUITING SERVICE” in White block letters, 1 inch high (cancelled and replaced by another version in the 1950s)

Transportation Corps Port Officers Brassard US Army Air Forces Aircraft Warning Service

Observer Brassard

Military Police Brassard Counter Intelligence Corps Brassard

Men of Fire Truck & Hose Companies Introduced 20 April 1922, to identify firemen units operating under the Fire Marshal . Red Brassard, with the word ‘”FIRE” in White block letters, 2 ¼ inches high (cancelled in 1956) Introduced 1942 . Red Brassard with the words “FIRE WATCHMAN” in White block letters, 7/8 inch high (unofficial armband used by unit fire guards, cancelled in the 1950s) Port Officers

Introduced 21 November 1921 for the Army Transport Service . Buff Brassard, with Black block letters “A.T.S.” (followed or preceded by department or branch of service in similar block letters), 1 ¼ inch high (12 NEW Brassards were used between 1921-1944, with following indications; “A.T.S. BAGGAGE”, “A.T.S. CHAPLAIN”, “A.T.S. MAIL”, “A.T.S. MEDICAL”, “A.T.S. PERSONNEL”, “A.T.S. PORT”, “A.T.S. TRANSPORTATION”, “A.T.S. TROOP MOVEMENT”, etc. - the Army Transport Service was then still part of the Quartermaster Corps, all cancelled in 1944) New version introduced in 1943 . Dark Red cotton Brassard, with printed Yellow block letters “TPN. CORPS. U.S.A.”, 1 1/6 inch high . The Brassard ends are clipped, while it is fixed by means of an elastic band, there is a small buttonhole above the letters “CORPS” to make sure the brassard does not slide – intended for an extra safety pin (initially only used by ETOUSA Port Officers, in the United Kingdom, after D-Day landings, also later used on the European continent, cancelled in the 1950s) Also introduced in 1943 . Red Brassard, with printed Yellow block letters “R.T.O. U.S.A.”, 1 1/6 inch high, identical closure to above (only used by ETOUSA Rail Transportation Officers, in the United Kingdom, cancelled in the 1950s) Introduced in July 1944 . Brick Red Brassard, with Golden Yellow block letters “TC”, 2 ¼ inches high (Port Officers now belonged to the newly-formed branch Transportation Corps (which absorbed the Army Transport Service (ATS) and the Harbor Boat Service (HBS), this armband now replaced all previous versions) Newspaper Correspondents, Photographers, and Commentators Introduced 10 November 1941, 9 NEW Brassards were introduced consisting of a Green armband, with White block letters, 1 ¼ inch high, with following indications; “CORRESPONDENT”, “PHOTOGRAPHER”, “RADIO COMMENTATOR”, “CORRESPONDENT MESSENGER”, “PHOTOGRAPHER MESSENGER”, “RADIO NEWS MESSENGER”, “PHOTOGRAPHER CHAUFFEUR”, “CORRESPONDENT CHAUFFEUR”, and “RADIO NEWS CHAUFFEUR” (they did not last long, being too complex and too costly to manufacture, cancelled in 1942, and finally replaced by 2 NEW versions – see below) Introduced 4 September 1942, for wear by Newspaper Correspondents, Writers, and Commentators, attached to and authorized to accompany Forces of the Army of the United States, in Theaters of Operation, and their Chauffeurs and Messengers .

Journalist, Feature Writer, Radio Commentator > Green Brassard, with White block letter “C”, 2 inches high (cancelled 28 November 1944) Introduced 4 September 1942, for wear by Photographers, accompanying US Armed Forces . Photographer > Green Brassard, with White block letter “P”, 2 inches high (cancelled 28 November 1944) Introduced 1 December 1944, as a means to identify member of the Signal Corps Photographic Companies already set up in February 1942 . Official US Army Photographer > Dark Blue Brassard, with Golden Yellow block letters “OFFICIAL U.S. ARMY PHOTOGRAPHER”, embroidered on a Black rectangular insignia, bordered Golden Yellow, 1 ¼ inch wide and 2 ¾ inch long (cancelled and replaced in 1950). Remark : the SSI featuring the Official US Army Photographer designation, was also used as a single emblem on clothing elements, without the armband Introduced 28 July 1945, for Radio Reporters belonging to the AAF . Army Air Forces Radio Reporter > Ultramarine Blue Brassard, with Golden Orange block letters “AAF RADIO REPORTER”, 1 ¼ inches high

Photographer Brassard Official US Army Photographer Brassard

Chaplain Brassard Geneva Convention Brassard

Technical Observers & Service Specialists Introduced 23 October 1942, to identify Technical Observers and Service Specialists, accompanying United States Army Forces in the field . Orange Brassard, with Black block letters “TO”, 2 ¼ inches high (this NEW version replaced the 3 former armbands destined for wear by civilian personnel, working for the War Department, already cancelled 28 November 1944)

Aircraft Warning Service, Army Air Forces Introduced 6 March 1943, to identify members of the AWS Network covering the whole of the United States, which mainly consisted of civilians . Ultramarine Blue Brassard, with White disk 2 1/16 inches diameter, with Blue letters “U.S. ARMY AWS AIR FORCE”, between two Golden Orange wings, each about 3 1/8 inches long, above Golden letters, with either the words “CHIEF OBSERVER”, or “OBSERVER”, 7/16 inch high (cancelled in 1947) Gas Personnel Introduced 31 March 1944, although already in use since mid 1943, to identify Gas Officers and Gas NCOs, of the Chemical Warfare Service (CWS). Cobalt Blue Brassard, with Golden Yellow word “GAS”, 2 ½ inches high Army Specialized Training Program ASTP Trainees & Candidates > acting as Officers and Noncommissioned Officers (also in Schools & Training Centers) for the Army Ground Forces, Army Service Forces, and Army Air Forces will wear : Acting Officers > Dark Blue Brassard, with Yellow or White stripes, ¾ inch wide, 4 inches long, and ¼ inch apart, and sewed parallel with the long side . Three yellow stripes designated Colonel, two yellow stripes were for Lieutenant Colonel, while one yellow stripe indicated Major – three white stripes designated Captain, two white stripes First Lieutenant, and one white stripe was meant for Second Lieutenant . Remark : also Olive-Drab Brassards were worn in lieu of Dark Blue ! Introduced 12 May 1943 (cancelled and replaced in 1949)

Acting Noncommissioned Officers > Dark Blue Brassard, with Olive-Drab chevrons, i.e. three chevrons for Sergeant, and two chevrons for Corporal . Introduced 10 November 1941 (cancelled and replaced in 1949)

Invasion Brassard

Acting Officer (Lt. Colonel) Brassard

Acting NCO (Corporal) Brassard

WAAC All-States Recruiting Campaign Introduced 27 September 1943, part of an All-State WAAC Recruiting Campaign, to be worn by all WAAC candidates during Training . Yellow felt Brassard, with blue-white SSI of the Service Command (covering the specific State) centered, topped by the wording “ALL-STATES” in Green block letters, and the abbreviated name of the State under the Service Command, also in Green block letters (the campaign ended on 7 December 1943, so it is assumed that this armband was also in use with the later WAC organization – some historians indicate all lettering was red) WAAC Cadre, Reception Center Introduced in May 1942, to be worn by women cadre at WAAC Reception Centers, for easy identification by recruits . Yellow Brassard, with moss Green word “WAAC” in block letters, 2 ½ inches high (I assume this armband was subsequently cancelled and/or modified when WAAC became WAC in July 1943) Counter Intelligence Corps Introduced in 1944, although hardly ever illustrated ! Worn by Detachments of the Counter Intelligence Corps, detailed to act against espionage, sabotage, and subversion . Dark Blue Brassard, with Yellow block letters “CIC”, 2 ½ inches high Orderlies, First United States Army Introduced in 1944, to identify orderlies and messengers, belonging to Headquarters, First United States Army . Dark Blue Brassard, with Black block type capital “A” superimposed on a divided White (top) and Red (bottom) field (which later became the NEW SSI for the First US Army, replacing the former black A on olive-drab

background) Orderlies, Third United States Army Introduced in September 1944, to identify orderlies, belonging to Headquarters, Third United States Army . Dark Blue Brassard, with std. three-color SSI for the Third US Army

Third US Army Orderly Brassard

Mourning Brassard

Messengers, 7th Armored Division Introduced in Fall of 1944, to identify messengers belonging to the 7th Armored Division . Green (top) and Yellow (bottom) Brassard, equally divided lengthwise, without any further indication Bomb Disposal Personnel Introduced 18 August 1943, to identify teams of Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel . Dark Blue Brassard, featuring a superimposed insignia illustrating a Red bomb, Yellow trimmed, pointing downward, and embroidered on a Black oval background Civilian Personnel, War Department Introduced 10 November 1941, to identify civilian personnel temporarily assigned to work for the US Armed Forces . White Brassard, with Dark Blue block letters, 1 ¼ inch high, and words such as “SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANT”, “OPERATIONS ANALYST”, “TECHNICAL OBSERVER” (cancelled 4 September 1942, a sole NEW armband was introduced 23 October 1942, i.e. with indication “TO”, subsequently replaced by a series of ‘special’ SSIs)

Technical Observer

shoulder sleeve insignia

Civilian Personnel

in the field SSI

Airdrome Officer Introduced 1942, to identify the Officer on Duty, member of the Army Air Forces, responsible for supervision of all air operations at a particular Airfield . Ultramarine Blue Brassard, with Yellow Orange block letters “A O”, 2 ½ inches high Flight Traffic Clerk Introduced 1942, to identify AAF personnel handling traffic . Ultramarine Blue Brassard, with Yellow Orange block letters “FLIGHT TRAFFIC”, 1 ¼ inch high 6850th Internal Security Detachment Introduced 20 November 1945, to identify personnel of the 6850th Internal Security Detachment, commanded by Colonel B.C. Andrus, responsible for overall security and order during the ‘Nuremberg Trial’ (20 Nov 45 > 31 Aug 46) . Red (top) and White (bottom) Brassard, equally divided lengthwise, with superimposed block letters “ISD” centered, of which the top part was White and the bottom Red (these unique armbands were locally made, and it is assumed they respected std. dimensions, being 4” x 18”)

6850th ISD Brassard

Invasion Brassard Introduced 8 November 1942, during Operation Torch (Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria) to identify and underline personnel as belonging to the US Armed Forces . During the first Allied campaigns in the North African Theater of Operation, French

Vichy forces and civilians were rather anti-British (Mers-el-Kébir 3 July 1940 battle), hence the Allies tried to convince the locals, that the invasion was a pure ‘American’ show – so, why not use the Stars & Stripes symbol ! White double-milled cotton Brassard, covered with a layer of starch, with a full-color printed 48-Stars and Stripes flag centered, the left end is provided with 2 rows of 6 holes to fix a safety pin, while the right end has only 2 rows of 2 holes each (apparently a single manufacturer, Annin & Co, Verona, NJ, supplied these ‘Invasion’ armbands – this kind of identification was further used during amphibious and airborne operations in the ETO, even sometimes being used in cut-down version, thereby only retaining the Stars and Stripes) Mourning Brassard Introduced 17 July 1902, with subsequent modifications, to denote mourning at military funerals . Solid Black crepe Brassard (authorized for wear for a maximum period of 30 days, under strict authority of the Commanding Officer, and/or by approval of the War Department, the armband could also be worn by military personnel during civilian ceremonies)

Geneva Convention Brassards (obverse & reverse illustrating Red Cross, reference to Article 21, Geneva Convention 27 July 1929, and Identification number + prefix letter) Certificate of Identity to be issued to Military and Civilian protected Personnel (second pattern or late war laminated version)

detailed Geneva Convention required markings …

view of miscellaneous Brassards …