Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI) — also called unit crests — are the heraldic metal devices worn on the right breast pocket or beret to identify a soldier's regiment or separate battalion. The pieces in this collection date from 1940 to 1947, the heart of the World War II period, and represent units that served across every theater of the conflict: the Pacific, North Africa, Italy, and Northwest Europe.
Original WWII-era DUI were produced by a small number of authorized US manufacturers using die-struck sterling silver or base metal with enamel fills. Each piece carries the symbolic colors and devices of its parent unit, reviewed and approved by the Army's Institute of Heraldry. Collectors prize WWII-period DUI for their craftsmanship, historical depth, and direct connection to the Greatest Generation.
Every item in this collection is personally examined by Tom Yeager and authenticated against the Capistrano reference guides and ASMIC (American Society of Military Insignia Collectors) standards. Condition notes, maker marks, and provenance are documented for each piece.