.gif){kind=small}
Cover Page
MENU
Badges
|
National Park Service Uniforms Badges and Insignia 1894-1991 |
Number 1 |
|
| |
In 1955 the Service considered changing the badge. Memos were sent out soliciting suggestions from the men in the field. The NPS collection has one, possibly two, of these "proposed" badges. The first, developed by Frank F. Kowski, had the Service's new arrowhead emblem supplanting the eagle in the center. Three of these were struck, but the idea did not catch on and it was dropped. It was also suggested that an enameled badge of the arrowhead be used, but this brought forth vigorous protestations from the field. [20]
The other possible 1955 candidate has a more obscure history. It was purchased on the outside and donated to the NPS collection. It is assembled from parts of a park ranger badge and an assistant superintendent badge. The badge parts are stamped in brass, using what appears to be the "National Park Ranger" badge die. A piece of brass was cut to match the shape of the shield of the badge, only 1/8-inch larger all around. The center was then cut out to accommodate the ranger badge. Two parallel lines are engraved around the 1/8-inch border. The top of the shield, with the "U.S. PARK RANGER," along with a short section of the two center stripes, was then separated from the badge. This was soldered inside the top of the brass border. A short section of the bottom of the two center stripes was also cut out and soldered to the bottom of the border. A 1-1/4-inch brass circle was then soldered as a bridge between the top and bottom sections of the center stripes. On top of this brass circle is mounted a silver-plated assistant superintendent's badge. The rest of the badge is unplated brass.
In December 1959, new uniform regulations were released, to become effective on January 1, 1961. These regulations called for the number of different badges worn by uniformed personnel to be reduced to three. The superintendents and assistant superintendents were to wear a "gold rolled fill" badge with NATIONAL PARK RANGER on the top. All park rangers were to wear the same badge, but made of sterling silver and oxidized. All other uniformed personnel requiring a badge would wear one like the ranger badge but with NATIONAL PARK SERVICE at the top.
|
|
|
|
1960-1968 Dapped, gold-plated sterling silver | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
1960-1968 Dapped, sterling silver, oxidized | |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
1960-1968 Dapped, sterling silver, oxidized | |
|
| |
While at first glance the badges appear to be of the same design as the previous ones, there are a couple of differences. The eagle now faces to the right, and the circle surrounding the eagle contains UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR instead of NATIONAL PARK SERVICE/DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. These badges are dapped like the earlier ones.
Although the regulations were not to take effect until 1961, the new badges were probably purchased and issued, if a new badge was required, in 1960.
The 1961 regulations were somewhat ambiguous concerning the use of badges by women. Under the general heading of "Badge" they state: "The 'National Park Service' Badge. All uniformed employees except women, boat officers and boat crews, lifeguards, nurses, and fire control aids will wear the shield badge." Yet under the heading of "Women's Uniform" they state: "Badge to be worn on coat and optional on shirt." This could be interpreted to mean that women were to wear the "Park Ranger" rather than the "National Park Service" badge, but there were then no female park rangers. It was suggested at the time that women wear a smaller badge, but this did not happen. [21] Lifeguards and fire control aids had their own badges.
Even though the smaller badge idea was dropped, in January 1962 the wearing of a small silver arrowhead pin was authorized for women in lieu of a badge. [22] This was extremely unpopular among the women, and justifiably so, for the absence of a badge suggested a lack of authority. Some women were so incensed at this that they refused to wear the arrowhead. In some parks, superintendents issued them standard badges. The arrowhead "badge" issued to Betty Otto when she joined the Service in 1963 resembled the standard ranger tie tack except for having a raised edge, as if it had been made to be enameled in the center, and a pin fastening device. It was also nickel plated rather than sterling. The pins were poorly fashioned and were constantly in need of repair.
Back
|
Top
Last Modified: Thurs, Jul 28 2000 07:08:48 am PDT
http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/workman1/vol1c7.htm
.gif){kind=small}