Front rank insignia
US Army Rank Insignia (World War II)
Discover the different rank insignia of World War II. Each insignia represents a level of responsibility and experience. Ideal for complementing your US M1 helmet.
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To find a rank, you can type its name (eg: Sergeant ), its abbreviation (eg: Sgt ) or a word from its description (eg: squad ).
| Picture | Grade | Description |
|---|---|---|
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Private First Class (Pfc.)
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A non-commissioned soldier above the basic rank of Private. He does not hold command authority but has demonstrated experience and reliability.
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Technician 5th Grade (T/5)
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Rank for soldiers with technical skills (mechanics, radios, etc.). Equivalent in pay to a Corporal (Corporal) but without the command authority of a non-commissioned officer.
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Corporal (Cpl.)
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The first rank of non-commissioned officer (NCO). A Corporal could command a small fire team and was a first-level combat leader.
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Technician 4th Grade (T/4)
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Technical rank equivalent in pay to a Sergeant (Sergeant). Often experienced specialists in fields such as tank mechanics or communications.
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Sergeant (Sgt.)
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A crucial field leader, the Sergeant commanded a squad of approximately 12 men. He was responsible for their discipline, welfare, and combat effectiveness.
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Technician 3rd Grade (T/3)
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The highest rank of technician, equivalent in pay to a Staff Sergeant. Represented highly qualified specialists.
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Staff Sergeant (S/Sgt.)
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A senior non-commissioned officer rank. The Staff Sergeant often commanded a squad or acted as a section sergeant, supervising several other sergeants.
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Technical Sergeant (T/Sgt.)
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Often the second-highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in a platoon, he acted as platoon sergeant in the absence of an officer.
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First Sergeant (1Sgt.)
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The most senior and experienced non-commissioned officer in a company. He was the principal advisor to the commanding officer and was responsible for administration and discipline.
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Master Sergeant (M/Sgt.)
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The highest rank of non-commissioned officer, often serving as the senior operational expert at the battalion or regimental level.
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Second Lieutenant (2Lt.)
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The first rank of commissioned officer. A Second Lieutenant typically commanded a platoon of 30 to 40 soldiers.
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First Lieutenant (1Lt.)
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A more experienced officer, often leading specialist sections or acting as a company's executive officer.
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Captain (Capt.)
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Commander of a company, a unit of about 100 to 200 soldiers. The Captain was responsible for all operations of his company.
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Major (Maj.)
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A senior officer, usually serving as an executive (second) officer or operations officer in a battalion.
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Lieutenant Colonel (LtC.)
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Commander of a battalion, a unit of 300 to 1,000 soldiers, made up of several companies.
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Colonel (Col.)
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A senior officer who commanded a regiment or brigade. He played a key role in the planning and execution of large-scale operations.
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Brigadier General (BG)
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The first rank of general officer. He commanded a brigade and also served as deputy commander of a division.
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Major General (MG)
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Commander of a division, a large unit of about 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers.
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Lieutenant General (LtG)
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Commander of an army corps, which is composed of several divisions. A major strategic role in a theater of operations.
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General (Gen.)
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The highest rank in active service, commanding an entire army in a theater of operations (e.g., all forces in Europe).
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