Field Guide to US Paratrooper Badges

A Field Guide to United States Paratrooper Badges is a comprehensive illustrated guide to hundreds of paratrooper badges to aid the collector community. All paratrooper badges are the same, but to the collector they are not; small details can provide information as to when they were manufactured and by whom. This guide shows the various manufacturers and the details of the badges. Hundreds of photographs provide both the details of the badges and the hallmarks of the manufacturing companies wherever possible. While not 100% complete, it provides the most comprehensive guide ever produced on paratrooper badges. In addition, unofficial badges are shown, as well as badges for supporting roles to the paratrooper. A detailed history of parachutes dating back to Leonardo da Vinci in 1495 provides the reader a sense of how parachutes came into being and the start of combat operations in WWII. A list of United States combat jumps is also provided. Also provided is a section on unofficial awards granted to people whose lives were saved when jumping from a disabled aircraft, such as the "Caterpillar" award. Now in its 10th edition, if you collect United States military insignia and paratrooper badges, this book is a must for your reference library.