The Korean War (1950–1953) and the years immediately surrounding it represent a transitional period for US Army heraldry. Units that had been reconstituted after World War II were fielded with DUI that reflected both their WWII lineage and their new peacetime structure. The rapid mobilization of 1950 brought many National Guard and reserve units to active status, each carrying its own heraldic history.
Korean War-era DUI span the 1948–1957 period of the Army's classification system. Relative to WWII examples, Korean War-period crests are produced in smaller quantities (the Army was much smaller), making them increasingly desirable to advanced collectors who focus on completeness and rarity. Many are effectively unknown to general collectors because fewer circulate on the market.
The pieces in this collection represent units that served on the Korean Peninsula or in support roles during the conflict period. Condition, production details, and any known unit documentation are noted for each item.