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Older set of US Navy Reserve Dog Tags
The roots for US Navy dog tags as a use for personal military identification, as well as dog tags for other military branches, dates back to the Civil War. During that time, soldiers would pin notes inside their uniform with their personal information such as name and address. Dog tags first issued by the US Navy were oval in shape and produced by using a combination of mainly nickel and copper. One side of the tag was used to etch the right index finger print of the enlisted. The reverse side contained the individual’s personal information along with the navy’s initials – USN. (Continued below)
Authentic military dog tags, such as those issued by the US Navy, can be purchased from the Armed Forces History Museum in Largo, FL using the link below. They are also available for purchase in the museum’s store.
(Continued from above)
Additional Information on US Navy Dog Tags
Dog tags worn by Naval officers would include their initials and surname and their date of appointment. For the enlisted, the dog tag contained similar information such as initials and surname, but would include the date they enlisted along with their date of birth.
After WWI, dog tags were no longer a standard issue in the Navy and would only be reinstated during a time of war or other type of emergency. The issuance of dog tags could also be made mandatory by a person of authority. However, at the onset of the WWII, dog tags were once again reinstated and became a standard US Navy issue. At that time, the information provided on the dog tag was revised. US Navy dog tags from WWII included the individual’s name, his service number, his blood type and the letter “T” would be noted if he had been vaccinated for tetanus. USN continued to be part of the information provided and the fingerprint of the right index finger continued to be etched on the reverse side. In time, the etched finger print was removed from the tags.
Current US Navy issue of dog tags includes surname (followed by the individual’s initials), their service number, branch of service (USN), their blood type and religious affiliation (which was optional and up to the individual). Today, US Navy dog tags continue to be a part of standard military issue.
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I have a set of my father’s dog tags most likely from WWII as he was on several submarines at that time and 4 combat missions. They are oval like those described for the onset of WWII and contain his name, service number, USN and blood type as well as the letter P below the USN line. I also have a set of the newer notched tags, a card “The Submarine Combat Insignia” which obviously came with his Combat Insignia and 4 Stars, and a Black Rectangular Badge holding his picture on a small card which reads SUB BASE P.H.T.H, his name rank and Sub. Div. 10. I have several other items from that time and I am wondering if they are of any value other than their sentimental value to me.
Hi John: I will check with our historian to see if he can shed any light on the items as far as significance. As far as value, we recommend you contact the American Society of Appraiser in Washington, D.C. at 1-800-272-8258 or http://www.appraisers.com. I will contact you via the email you provided once I hear from our historian. Please be sure to check your SPAM folder if you have not heard from us within a week. Thank you for visiting our web-site and for taking the time to post your comment. All of us at the AFHM would like to tell you how much we appreciate your father’s service.
Yeah g’day. Way back in 1983, I was cleaning my car and when I lifted up one of the floor mats, I found a single aluminium dog tag that looked like it had been there for years. When cleaned up, I found the following details:
COOPER
TIMOTHY A
370604319
USN O POS
PRESBY
I don’t know why I kept it for the last 30 years but I think it’s time for it to go home to its owner, if he wants it. Are you able to track this person down and find out what he wants done with it. The easy thing would be to throw it away, but you never know, he might be yearning for it ever since he lost it.
Charlie D.
Christchurch, New Zealand.
I have forwarded your information to our historian to see if he can shed any light on where you might begin looking to find the owner of the tag. That is really an interesting story. How kind of you to hold on to it and to seek the owner. Will let you know when I hear something from our historian.
Well, I don’t know how much help this will be for you Charlie, but our historian said about the only way to track him with with the number listed on the tag, but with the security issues, that might be difficult. His only other suggestion was to possibly try looking him up on Facebook, or maybe a Google search. Sorry we could not be of any further service.