.Second World War Era.

U.S. ARMY RANK INSIGNIA

Second World War Era

In 1902, a board of officers decided that enlisted grades should be numbered in reversed order;
"Grade 1" denoting the top NCO grade and running downward.
This system remained in effect until another board of officers changed it back, in 1948.
There is no mistake in the numbering of enlisted grades here.

Closeup of The Ruptured Duck on the uniform.

1920-1942; Unauthorized Specialist Chevrons

These unauthorized insignia were manufactured and worn between 1920 and 1942.
Individual Company and Regimental commanders approved them for local wear.
Pictured are some of the common specialty devices worn,
but they were also worn with no specialty devices at all.
The Specialist really wore the chevrons of the PFC, they drew the pay of a PFC
plus Specialist Pay in relationship to the level of expertise they possessed.
Specialists and their extra pay were real; the insignia above were dreamed up by manufacturers.
In 1942, the Technicians replaced the Specialists; for the time being ...

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