U.S. Army Rank Insignia of WW2

Join us today as we look at the ranks and rank insignia of the U.S. Army during WW2.

Social Media:

Music:
Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault, Medal of Honor: European Assault, and Call of Duty (Classic) Soundtracks

Sources:
• "United States Army Grade Insignia Since 1776" by Preston B. Perrenot

[BattleOrder]

Note: We accidentally omitted the Technician 3rd Grade rank (the technician rank at the Staff Sergeant pay grade). They were generally used in the same positions as Tech 5 and 4, but with more experience. If there were any authorized explicitly in the TO&E, there were far fewer Tech 3s than Tech 4 or 5s. They were paid the same as a Staff Sergeant and were addressed as Staff Sergeant in conversation.

[nehukybis]

The first General of the Army created in 1944 was George Marshall. The Army decided on "General of the Army" rather than "Field Marshal" because they didn't want to call him "Field Marshal Marshall".

[devinmorse]

I've been doing heavy research for a game I am developing. These videos have been extremely valuable. Keep it up!

[stevekaczynski]

Lt Gen Lesley McNair was killed in Normandy by a US aerial bomb that fell short. They found his three-star insignia, but apparently not much else. He was one of four US lieutenant generals to die in WW2.

[rohnkdhct]

My father was a "Tech" 5th grade in WW II. He was in the D-day invasion as a Radio-Telephone man (mostly did Telephone work) and severed during the first part of the War trials after war.

[tannersires]

My great grandfather was a tech 4th grade in ww2. The only reason I know is from his discharge papers and some of the medals and rank insignia he left behind. On his discharge papers is says his MOS was something to do with anti-aircraft guns.

[Invisible_Socks]

Army vet here. This is so confusing lol

Former member of the E-4 mafia

[stevekaczynski]

"Command authority of a private" ie. commanding themselves alone.

[drheusmann]

Could we expect an awards video from the US Army during WWII? I'd be interested in seeing that elaborated upon.

[andrewpestotnik]

I love the fact that you put the
Medal of Honor Vanguard music in this. The nostalgia.

[phillipwhite]

Just became a subscriber. Google recommended your USMC WWII video, and I binged the rest. I'm a Navy vet who loves military history, and this channel is awesome.

[bleee]

glad this channel popped up right when you guys started to upload regularly. Please, keep it up!

[leelewis]

Good job!!! Only issue is “sergeant majors” should be “sergeants major” but that is a very very minuscule detail compared to the rest of the piece

[LillianSteele-uv]

Good explanation. I remember as a child asking my dad for an explanation of these ranks. He did a wonderful job. He was a Sgt in the ETO.

[DonTXPgr]

My father was Technician 3rd Grade during 1946 at Seoul Korea as a wrecker/mechanic just before the Korean War started

[thesarge]

Thank You for this small piece of history for the U.S. Army Ranks in WWII, I like this kind educational history and I really enjoy this kind of stuff. Great Presentation. Thanks Again.

[parrot]

Are you joking...? Demonetized?? Why would YouTube do that?! Pure high quality history content; what possible reason could they come up with to do that to you?
By the way, can you possibly produce this same type of informative video that covers the early and middle 20th century U.S. Navy? That’d be fantastic. Keep up the fine work. You’re greatly appreciated.

[eileennavarrete]

I see I'm not the only one thrilled with this post. The More We Know. Keep up the good work. Great Post.

[FireMedicJason]

Great job on the video, i was too late for the war (1947 - 1950) and served during a time of drastic reduction in force (or drawdown as they called it) so there wasn't much room for advancement.

- Charlie, Cpl. US Army Signal Corps.

[D__Lee]

Thanks for the video! The WW2 enlisted ranks were always changing because there were so many men in uniform, I.e. too many Indians, not enough Chiefs. I was in the USAF in the early 70’s and I remembered when they changed some of the lower ranks and insignias. When you’re of the lower ranks, you’re treated like crap so the changes didn’t mean much. Some of the senior NCOs were still complaining that the USAF didn’t have Warrant Officers so their career path in rank would oftentimes hit a wall.