Military War Eagles - World War II

World War II

During WWII many War Eagles were made and most had only one Eagle facing the arrows of war while some had both heads facing the arrows. Another famous set of War Eagles from WWII were the oversized “Bull” Colonel insignia. These were originally made by a clothing manufacturer to fit on the Army wool winter overcoat. The regular Colonel insignia just looked too small. The Bull eagles were 2 inch while regulation were 1½ inches.

In 1951, the insignia was redesigned so that the eagle’s head faced the laurel branch on both the left and right shoulder insignia with the arrows to the rear on both insignia and at the same time the war eagle was phased out forever. But some traditions never die.

From that point on the so called "war eagle" was no longer authorized for wear on the uniform.

In 2005 recognizing the tradition of the Military Weingarten Gallery designed a set of modern Colonel Insignia with both Eagles facing the arrows, as the United States was in two conflicts, and thus making modern looking War Eagles. This insignia while unofficial is a tribute to U.S. soldiers with a continuation of the War Eagle tradition.

In June 2006, Collar size War Eagles were added at the request of several Navy Captains.