posted on July 16, 2002 12:32:37 PM
I recently received some items from a friend...I THINK they're from the WWII era (one anyway...not too sure about the other)...Can anyone help identify them? One is a small round pin with the letters "FLT"...this is the one I'm not sure is WWII. The other shows an eagle in a circular frame. I've done some research but couldn't find these two items. Any help is, as always, greatly appreciated.
posted on July 16, 2002 12:40:49 PM
I don'tknow what the "FLT" means, but the other is a pin given to vets of WWII when they were honorably discharged. As I recall it had several nicknames, one I believe was the "ruptured duck" or close to it. I was a teenager during WWII. It came to an end just before I turned 18.
posted on July 16, 2002 01:10:38 PM
The top pin seems to be a fraternal pin from the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The FLT stands for "Friendship, Love & Truth". The ovals represent linked chains. For more info on this organization, go to:
posted on July 16, 2002 01:16:17 PM
Thanks all...As expected, AW-ers are AWESOME! "Ruptured Duck"...what an inelegant name for such a nice pin..I think it's quite nice. Anyway...will check out the "ioof" site. Appreciate the help!
posted on July 16, 2002 02:08:45 PM
That's an extra nice duck. Is it marked 12k or 14k on the back? I qualified for the duck late in the war, but never shot my rifle and never was shot at, so I didn't feel right wearing it.
posted on July 16, 2002 02:11:17 PM
I don't know why you edited, Jack. You had some good info and it was correct.
The Origin of "The Ruptured Duck" Insignia
The original Ruptured Duck was a cloth insignia depicting an eagle inside a wreath. It was worn on uniforms above the right breast pocket by WWII servicemen and women.
It was issued to service personnel who were about to leave the military with an Honorable Discharge.
It also allowed them to continue to wear their uniform for up to thirty days after they were discharged since there was a clothing shortage at that time. This showed the MP's that they were in transit and not AWOL. Well, the boys thought the eagle looked more like a duck; and, because it meant they were going home, the popular saying was, "They took off like a Ruptured Duck"...hence the nickname.
posted on July 16, 2002 03:03:34 PM
THE RUPTURED DUCK. I HAVE SEEN THIS ON NUMEROUS WW11 UNIFORMS BUT ALL ARMY. WERE THEY ISSUED TO THE NAVY AND MARINES CORPS? OF COURSE WE HAD NO AIR FORCE BACK THEN.
WE HAD THE ARMY AIR CORPS. SO IT WAS STILL ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO THE ARMY. THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE CAME ABOUT IN 1947. DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE.
[ edited by JACKSWEBB on Jul 16, 2002 06:58 PM ]
posted on July 16, 2002 06:45:56 PM
WOW...lots of good info...Can you stand still more questions? Just looked more closely at the pin...mainly the back. It appears that the back "clasp" has been soldered to the prong on the pin. Is the back (see photo) what was normally used for these pins? Is this supposed to come off or was it attached in some special way? I can't separate this back part from the pin...is this normal? Thanks again...I was born toward the end of the war so really don't know much (obviously) about these items.
posted on July 16, 2002 06:53:45 PM
Thanks so much rgrem...I was afraid I had a 'defective" item and am relieved it's OK!
And my hat's off to all the "Vets" out there who did so much for so many so many years ago..THANKS!
