UNDER CONSTRUCTION.........
TIMELINE OF AMERICAN IDENTIFICATION TAGS
U.S. Army
1861-1865
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SUTLER IDENTIFICATION DISC'S
The history of the American identification disc or "dog tag" begins during the Civil War. Identification discs were made by Camp Sutlers during the war for Union soldiers. However, these tags weren't issued items to troops by the government, it was an item made by request of soldiers who feared of not being identified if they were killed in battle.
Seen above is an example of a real Civil War identification disc. As with most identification discs, this one has the soldiers name, unit, and place of residence. Of course, some discs vary and often times have more or less information on them. More elaborate identification discs from the era will have battles stamped on it that the soldier participated in during the war.
The reverse of the disc will have something notable such as Washington, McClennan, "War of 1861" with an eagle, etc.
Seen above is an example of a real Civil War identification disc. As with most identification discs, this one has the soldiers name, unit, and place of residence. Of course, some discs vary and often times have more or less information on them. More elaborate identification discs from the era will have battles stamped on it that the soldier participated in during the war.
The reverse of the disc will have something notable such as Washington, McClennan, "War of 1861" with an eagle, etc.
1898
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RED CROSS IDENTIFICATION DISC'S
Identification tags weren't being used by American troops since the Civil War until the start of the Spanish American War. During this time, the Red Cross handed out identification tags to troops in San Francisco, in route to the Philippines.
Most of the time, these tags would be marked with the soldiers unit and number in unit. However, some units, like the one above, left an empty scroll for the soldier to stamp or scratch their name into.
Most of the time, these tags would be marked with the soldiers unit and number in unit. However, some units, like the one above, left an empty scroll for the soldier to stamp or scratch their name into.
1906-1910
M-1906 (30mm)
1910-1916
1917-1918
M-1917A (35mm) |
M-1918A (30mm) |
M-1917 |
1919-1924
1924-1940
M-1924
DECEMBER 1940-NOVEMBER 1941
NOTCHED NEXT OF KIN IDENTIFICATION TAGS
In 1939, a new type of dog tag was developed, which would feature the soldiers name, serial number, blood type, and next of kin address.
NOVEMBER 1941-JULY 1943
M-1940 NOTCHED NEXT OF KIN IDENTIFICATION TAGS
The next type of identification tags of this type added the soldiers tetanus vaccination dates, as well as religion on the bottom right (abbreviated).
JULY 1943-MARCH 1944
MARCH 1944-APRIL 1946
