Existing comment:
Dog Tags:
During the Civil War, soldiers were often worried that if they were killed, their comrades and family would not be able to identify their remains. The Army did not require soldiers to wear identification tags so some soldiers purchased them from sutlers or fashioned them out of wood or paper, especially before a big battle. In 1899, Army Chaplain, Charles Pierce, advocated the use of identity discs. In 1917, the Army began requiring ID discs be worn and by 1941, the more familiar "Dog Tags" began being used. This style of ID tag remains in use today. |