Identification Tag and Cover

Description:

Physical Description

Metal tag imprinted "Mary A. Millian" on a chain. Green yarn crocheted cover.

General History

The idea of identifying a soldier in case of injury or death during combat dates back to the Civil War, when soldiers pinned paper notes to their clothing as identification. Metal identification tags, or "dog tags" as they are popularly known, have their origins in World War I. By 1913 the United States Army made ID tags mandatory. During World War II each soldier was given two dog tags, a short chain and a long chain. The purpose of the different lengths of chain was to keep the two tags separate, so as not to make noise in the field. The smaller chain was also used for purposes of body identification in case of death.

Issued: 1944

Location: Currently not on view

Related Event: World War IIThe Great Depression and World War II

Subject:

See more items in: Political and Military History: Armed Forces History, Military, Military, ThinkFinity

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Lieutenant Colonel Mary A. Millian, USAF (Ret.)

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: AF.74521MAccession Number: 292450Catalog Number: 74521M

Object Name: identification tags, pair of

Physical Description: aluminum (overall material)fabric (cover material)Measurements: overall: 1 1/8 in x 2 in x 1/16 in; 2.8575 cm x 5.08 cm x .15875 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-dc6f-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1357636

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