Cover Page

Foreword

Introduction

Badges

Insignia

Arrowhead patch

Belt

Buttons

Cap insignia

Collar ornaments

Hat

Hatband & straps

Nametags

Service insignia

Sleeve brassards

Tie ornaments & pins

Optional

Conclusion

Photofile

Notes

National Park Service Uniforms Badges and Insignia 1894-1991	Number 1
Badges

An Interior Department graphic change came in 1968, during Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall's last year in office. The buffalo seal was replaced by one containing a small circle, symbolizing the sun, over two triangles, symbolizing mountains, over nine small triangles, symbolizing water, all framed by a stylized pair of hands and encircled by "U.S. Department of the Interior." The National Park Service, being a bureau of Interior, followed suit and changed the badge design to reflect the new departmental seal. This time there were only two badges made. The superintendents' and assistant superintendents' badges were gold, while all others were sterling silver. Both badges were identical in design. The shield remained the same, with only the departmental seal replacing the eagle.

1968-1970 SUPERINTENDENTS Dapped, gold-filled sterling silver
1968-1970 ALL OTHER UNIFORMED PERSONNEL REQUIRED TO WEAR BADGE Dapped, sterling silver, oxidized

The "good hands" emblem met with a great deal of opposition in the Park Service and the department as a whole--so much so that the seal, and the badge, were changed again in less than two years. Secretary Walter J. Hickel, Udall's successor, restored the buffalo to the Interior seal in 1969. The National Park Service again followed suit, using the buffalo this time instead of the eagle previously used. There was only one badge, and all uniformed personnel were to wear it. It was gold and consisted of the standard shield, with the Department of the Interior seal in the center. This comprises a buffalo, facing to the left, standing on grass in front of mountains with a rising sun background, encircled by a band with the words U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR/MARCH 3, 1849. This is the badge that is worn today.

1970-present ALL AUTHORIZED UNIFORMED PERSONNEL Dapped, gold-filled

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Last Modified: Thurs, Jul 28 2000 07:08:48 am PDT
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