Who recieved this & when & why?(approximately 1/2 in. diameter)
Dick

The Honorable Service Lapel Button, also known as the Honorable Service Lapel Pin, was awarded to United States military service members who were discharged under honorable conditions during World War II. The award was sometimes called the "Ruptured Duck". Designed by sculptor Anthony de Francisci, the button was awarded between September 1939 and December 1946 and was made of gilt brass, except during metal shortages when it was made of gilt plastic. Service members who received the plastic version were later allowed to trade it in for the brass version.

The button, which depicted an eagle inside a wreath, served as proof to military police that its wearer was not absent without leave. During World War II, members of the Armed Forces were not allowed to possess civilian clothes. The discharge insignia, embroidered onto a cloth lozenge and sewn on the right breast of the tunic, allowed its wearer to wear his or her uniform for up to thirty days subsequent to discharge. Some veterans wore the pin on their civilian lapels for many years after the war's end. It has since also appeared on a postage stamp to honor WWII veterans.

Looks like the WWII veterans' lapel pin for civilian wear. Vets often referred to it as "the Ruptured Duck", as I recall.

I see e3mrk beat me to it with a full explanation.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Was just going to say "Ruptured Duck" but got beat. I should have a couple somewhere, my Father's and my Mother's. I know they were around when I was still in high school, a very long time ago!

A beautiful explanation VRichard!

I was 9 years old when the war started. I remember my father had civilian clothes, but when he appeared in public he had to be wearing hsi uniform.

Thanks e3mrk. Have to look around in my dad's stuff from WWII. I do know that is the design of an aluminum cast grave marker/flag holder in my area in WI also.

I received my "Ruptured Duck" in 1970 when I also received my honorable discharge from the navy. Think when I reported to the draft board upon leaving active service they changed my draft classification to 4A. Lotta years ago and the honorable discharge still means a lot to me. Frank

I was honorable discharge in 1974 from the USMC.In 1969 I got the early out after I rotated back to the world from Vietnam. I didn't get know " Ruptured Duck",did all branches of the military receive them?

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S&W 40VE M&P 40 SHIELD
USMC

Gruntshot, you should have received one along with your honorable discharge. Check with either the Veterans Administration or local chapter of the Marine Corps League. Now I have to find mine. Frank

I saw this thread and went digging for my dad's old uniform. He put the cloth "lozenge" in the place where the Presidential Unit Citation had been above the right breast pocket.

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USAF 1966 - 1970, honorable discharge, no ruptured duck.

LTC

My uncles and dad got theirs too. My dads was also made of embroidered cloth.

Just to avoid some confusion I enlisted in the USN in august 1964 and was separated in late September 1967. And then 3 years inactive reserve until 1970 when I got the honorable discharge and the ruptured duck. Maybe the length of active service has something to do as to wether or not you get one. But on thinking about it as you received the honorable discharge you should have received one. Weird that some received them and others did not. Frank

I received two from the US Naval Reserve. First one was for my honorable discharge at the end of my 6-year service. The second was for an additional four years from 78-82.

Never got one