The outstanding and heroic deeds of men have been recognized in many ways. One of the earliest was a wreath made of laurel leaves; replicas of the laurel wreath were later cast in metal and worn on the recipient's armor and were, in effect, the first military decorations.

The story of medals in the United States begins with an award to General George Washington for forcing the enemy evacuation of Boston in 1776. However in 1780 the United States broke new ground with the presentation of three medals to enlisted men for the capture of Major Andre who was carrying despatches from Benedict Arnold with plans to betray West Point to the British.

AMERICAN MEDALS & DECORATIONS describes the development of American medals from the War of Independence to current conflicts in the Middle Fast. In the early years of the nation the idea of badges and symbols did not find favor but as the years passed the Pyramid of Honor, at whose apex sits the Medal of Honor, was established and was enshrined in law after the First World War.

As befits the democratic tradition of the country AMERICAN MEDALS & DECORATIONS plots the story of awards to the ordinary fighting man for valor and heroism above and beyond the call of duty. Covering all the major conflicts from the Revolution to Vietnam and their associated medals ranging from the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart to the Medals for the Polar Expeditions and the Conquest of Yellow Fever Medal.

AMERICAN MEDALS & DECORATIONS, lavishly illustrated in color, is the definitive visual reference for collectors and those who wish to have a fuller understanding of the notion's tokens of gratitude to those who have served it with great heroism and selflessness.

Hard-back book measures roughly ~9-1/8" by ~12" (portrait); ~1/2" thick; 80 very illustrated pages; no tears or folds in pages; binding fully intact; very-light shelf-scuffing and wear. Book and dust-jacket are in otherwise fine condition.

The unit cloth patch is over 125 years old. In 1862, General Philip A. Kearney, Commander of the Federal Third Corps, assigned badges to his divisions; prompted, it was said, by an embarrassing incident when he mistook a group of officers for enlisted men and reprimanded them about their appearance. Since then, the diversity of military insignia has provided a fascinating mute commentary upon the organization and specialization of modern armed forces. This book provides a brief history of insignia and - taking as its base the 28 patches of the US active and reserve army - describes the significance of hundreds of cloth and metal badges, including elite, specialized and rank insignia. The unofficial badges that proliferated especially in Vietnam are also examined.

Military insignia are both a register of the history of entire divisions, and of the history of individuals: when a soldier is in dress greens wearing his qualification and trade badges, divisional patch, rank, service stripes and name tag, he is sometimes described as wearing his "menu board" - with the help of this book, you can read the menu, and thereby gain a greater understanding of just what it is to be part of the vast and complex structure of a modern armed force.

From the emblems of the World War II 'Flying Tigers' of the Army Air Force to the S.F. Green Beret patch and crest, the insignia are illustrated throughout with specially commissioned full-color photographs; and as an added bonus, the author has included information on the active service of the units over the years, with further contemporary illustrations from the archives. American Military insignia is not only a useful reference guide - invaluable to the collector - but also an insight into the US armed forces at war and peace, from a unique standpoint.

Hard-back book measures roughly ~9-1/8" by ~12" (portrait); ~1/2" thick; 80 very illustrated pages; no tears or folds in pages; binding fully intact; very-light shelf-scuffing and wear. Book and dust-jacket are in otherwise fine condition.

The first edition of this now classic work truly broke new ground. It was the first reference work supported by full photographic evidence to cover in detail every aspect of the military uniforms, insignia, and accoutrements of the German Army during the Third Reich. Twenty years on, it remains the standard work on the subject, now with extra notes and corrections to errors that have come to light since its first publication.

With the inauguration of the Wehrmacht-Heer in 1935, the new Reich was careful to incorporate much of the tradition - including the uniforms and insignia - of the earlier Imperial German Armies that had won glory and renown at Sadowa, Sedan and Tannenberg. The military costume adapted during the ensuing years by sophisticated designers was instrumental in fashioning a fighting force that at its height held Europe from the gates of Moscow to the English Channel.

The 460 individual photographs and drawings illustrating this volume are unique most have never before been published - and show both the issue uniforms and the nonstandard variations set against a background of authentic service conditions. The search for the photographs led the author into formerly untouched archives where the value of the illustrations, often showing equipment in use in circumstances sometimes not previously known or proven, was not hitherto appreciated.

This work is acclaimed as providing the first serious basis, founded on original research, for the study of an essential aspect of uniform history. The uniforms detailed and illustrated are those of the regular German Army, the Wehrmacht-Heer; the various National Socialist para-military formations and political organizations that were not part of the regular army are not directly included.

The book comprises three main sections: Rank and Rank Insignia lays a basis for the succeeding parts of the book by explaining the rank hierarchy of the German Army, and extensive tables are provided by which a comparison may be drawn between the German ranks and their Allied equivalents. The roles of administration officials, the Wehrmachtbeamten, are also explained thoroughly. A detailed explanation of the Waffenfarben - the 'arm of service colour' and the secondary Neberfarben by which various service branches could be distinguished is also provided, together with a list of the various insignia worn by units on their shoulder straps.

Badges and Insignia covers all the distinctive badges issued to the German troops, including trade and specialist badges, proficiency badges, 'traditional' unit emblems and cuff-titles. The multi-hued sidearm knots, the troddel and faustriemen, are also explained in detail and so too are the various armbands.

Uniform discusses all the more basic items of the equipment, including head-dress, tunics, trousers, shirts, greatcoats, cloaks, camouflage material, footwear and sports equipment. The reference appendices include a summary of the soldier's personal equipment and weapons, and extensive English-German and German-English glossaries. The work is completed by a comprehensive bibliography.

Many years of research went into the preparation of this book. The author is well known through his many publications and articles as the world's foremost authority on Third Reich military costume. For German Army Uniforms and Insignia he had access to official papers, army orders and clothing regulations; the result is a volume that remains the most complete and authoritative work on the subject ever published.

In the fifty years since World War Two the many battles of that conflict and the forces involved have been avidly studied, none more so than those of the German armed forces. An undeniable strength of the Third Reich forces was their commitment to the command structure and loyalty to the divisions and units within that organisation. Furthermore, achievement and bravery was quickly noted and rewarded with medals and awards.

The badges and insignia of Third Reich forces have long been a subject for study by military historians and collectors. They are ideally catered for in this book through the union of the knowledge of Brian Davis and the artwork of Malcolm McGregor, creating an illustrated reference which has already served a generation of students of this topic and remains unsurpassed in detail and accuracy.

Hard-back book measures roughly ~7-3/4" by ~10" (portrait); ~3/4" thick; 208 pages; no tears or folds in pages; binding fully intact; very-light shelf-scuffing and wear. Book and dust-jacket are in otherwise fine to very-fine "UNUSED" condition.

Throughout the centuries soldiers have worn badges and other insignia even before uniforms were introduced. But with the coming of uniforms and more specialized fighting, the need grew for more badges to show an individual soldier's trade or skill (such as marksman) or his unit's field role (such as the commandos and parachutists). This book describes in colorful artwork and photographs the badges and insignia of 40 of the world's most famous contemporary military formations, with detailed accounts of their history and exploits.

Hard-back book measures roughly ~9-3/8" by ~6-5/8" (landscape); ~3/8" thick; 46 pages; no tears or folds in pages; binding fully intact; light shelf-scuffing and wear. Book and dust-jacket are in otherwise good to very-good condition.