Uniforms & Insignia  |  Ranks & Organization  |  Misc.  |  Contact

U.S. Army Enlisted Rank Insignia of World War I
1917-1920

U.S Army enlisted rank insignia reached its greatest complexity in the First World War period. The expansion of new branches and grades caused a proliferation of insignia which taxed the army's supply system and left room for reform, which would come in the grade consolidation of 1920.

The number of grades and the fact that not all branches had the same structure makes it difficult to present all the information in tabular form. The following table presents all grades and insignia together, sortable by precedence, title, branch and date.

The table is based on the War Department's Special Regulations No. 42: Specifications for the Uniform of the United States Army of 15 August, 1917,¹ and subsequent changes through 1919. Ranks and insignia earlier in 1917 are essentially the same as in the August order.

Before the war, chevrons worn on blue dress uniforms were colored according to branch, while those of service uniforms were in dull colors like the olive drab or khaki uniform. On 15 May 1917 use of blue dress uniforms was suspended for the duration of the war, except for use at the White House.² On 26 June 1917 blue uniforms were suspended completely.³ In May 1918, soldiers were ordered to wear grade insignia only on the right sleeve.⁴

Dress blue insignia colors, 1917 regulations

Field Artillery, Coast Artillery (scarlet)	Cavalry (yellow)	Infantry, U.S. Military Academy Band (white)	Corps of Engineers (scarlet piped with white)	Ordnance Corps (black piped with scarlet)
Signal Corps (orange piped with white)	Medical Department (maroon piped with white)	Quartermaster Corps (buff)	Army Detachment, U.S. Military Academy (green piped with white)	Army Service School Detachments (green)

Initial regulations still reflected the army organization of the late 1800s, with divisions between "line" or combat units that operated in the field (Infantry, Cavalry, Field Artillery, Coast Artillery and Engineers) and supporting units or staff that were usually attached to posts. The line NCOs generally wore "plain" chevrons, while others had a branch device. Musicians and specialists in all branches also wore distinctive devices, as did all privates first class.

The first change to the uniform specifications was issued 29 December 1917. For enlisted grades it addressed mostly musicians, but there were also new chevrons for the Ordnance Corps, after wartime authorization added the grade of sergeant first class to that branch.

"Changes No. 3" of 19 February 1918 was the first to address newly-organized wartime branches. The Chemical Service (later renamed the Chemical Warfare Service), Tank Corps, Corps of Intelligence Police and Corps of Interpreters were prescribed new insignia, based on those of the Medical Department, but with their own newly-authorized branch devices.

The biggest reform to enlisted grade insignia during the war came with "Changes No. 4" of 5 May 1918. It listed 32 insignia "of general application," which could be used by any branch. Branch devices were removed from the chevrons of sergeants first class, sergeants and corporals that had used them before. Designs with a wreath and branch device were standardized for most senior technical or administrative specialist NCOs across all branches. At the same time, distinctions returned to some company-level NCOs: Mess sergeants, supply sergeants and stable sergeants. Musician insignia remained distinctive. Because of the large-scale adoption of motorized transport in the American Expeditionary Force, motor sergeant and chauffeur grades were authorized in all branches. Because privates first class and some specialized senior NCOs used branch devices in their insignia, though, there were still a significant number of branch-specific insignia. The branch insignia of the Tank Corps had also been changed since the February order, from the front view of a French tank to a side view of a Mark VIII tank, with dragons and a wreath below. Though the regulations specified only "a tank" for enlisted grade insignia, many were made using the entire branch device.

Wartime expansion meant that there were some privates who were not assigned to traditional regimental units or post staff, and new insignia were authorized for privates first class of headquarters and the recruiting service, as well as USMA and school detachments which had not previously had privates assigned.

"Changes No. 5" of 17 July 1918 introduced enlisted insignia for the Air Service, newly separated from the Signal Corps. The winged propeller device was specified for master signal electricians and privates first class. All other grades would wear "general application" insignia, but in practice unauthorized insignia with branch devices were commonly worn. "Changes No. 6" of 15 October 1918 added insignia for the Motor Transport Corps, and "Changes No. 7" added the Transportation Corps and the Provost Marshal General's Department on 25 January 1919.

By this point the only enlisted grade insignia that were branch-specific were those of senior noncommissioned officers and privates first class. With 20 to 30 of the latter in every company, stocking 18 different designs created an obvious supply challenge. "Changes No. 11" of 26 July 1919 addressed this by prescribing all privates first class the same insignia: "an arc of one bar."

NOTES ON THE TABLE

"Precedence group" is a number created for this table, based on official sources. Before enlisted pay grades were established in 1920, army regulations specified precedence starting with the rank of general as number one, lieutenant general as number two and so on through all grades down to private. When new grades were created during the war, the numbering also changed. To make this table sortable, positions on the army's precedence list have been converted to a whole number. As an example, in 1917 the grade of regimental sergeant major was numbered "12(a)," quartermaster sergeant senior grade was "12(b)," hospital sergeant was "12(c)," and ordnance sergeant was "13".⁵ In the table below those have been numbered "1" through "4". To reflect army practice before 1949, the number one is used for the most senior position.

The dates used for "general application" insignia in any particular branch is the same date as other insignia of that branch appeared in the regulations. In actual use, any insignia that was superseded by a new design might still be worn.

An effort has been made to determine what grades were actually used in specific branches or units by checking tables of organization.⁶ For instance, as far as the author can determine, the only grades used in the Corps of Interpreters or the Corps of Intelligence Police were sergeant first class and sergeant.

The chevrons were generally applied pieces of drab fabric. Other devices could be applied or embroidered. The insignia illustrated in the table are intended to be typical of the period, but are not the only types that could be worn.

Precedence group	Title	Insignia	Branch	Date	Notes
1	Regimental Sergeant Major		Cavalry	1917/08/15
1	Sergeant Major, senior grade		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
1	Regimental Sergeant Major		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
1	Regimental Sergeant Major		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
1	Regimental Sergeant Major		Infantry	1917/08/15
2	Quartermaster Sergeant, senior grade		Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15
2	Quartermaster Sergeant, senior grade		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15
2	Master Hospital Sergeant		Medical Department	1917/08/15
2	Master Engineer, senior grade		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
2	Master Engineer, senior grade		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
2	Master Engineer, senior grade		Tank Corps	1918/02/19
2	Master Engineer, senior grade		Tank Corps	1918/05/07	A variant using the entire Tank Corps device was also used.
2	Master Electrician		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
2	Master Signal Electrician		Signal Corps	1917/08/15
2	Master Signal Electrician		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
2	Master Signal Electrician		Air Service	1918/07/17	There were also variants with a white propeller.
2	Master Engineer, senior grade		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25
2	Band Leader		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
2	Band Leader		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
2	Band Leader		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
2	Band Leader		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
2	Band Leader		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
2	Band Leader		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
2	Band Leader		Infantry	1917/08/15
2	Band Leader		Infantry	1917/12/29
2	Band Leader		Infantry	1918/05/07
2	Band Leader		Cavalry	1917/08/15
2	Band Leader		Cavalry	1917/12/29
2	Band Leader		Cavalry	1918/05/07
2	Band Leader		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
2	Band Leader		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
2	Band Leader		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
3	Hospital Sergeant		Medical Department	1917/08/15
3	Hospital Sergeant		Medical Department	1918/05/07
3	Engineer		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
3	Master Engineer, junior grade		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
3	Master Engineer, junior grade		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
3	Master Engineer, junior grade		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25
4	Ordnance Sergeant		Ordnance Corps	1917/08/15
4	Ordnance Sergeant		Ordnance Corps	1917/12/29
4	Ordnance Sergeant		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
4	Quartermaster Sergeant		Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15
4	Quartermaster Sergeant		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
4	Regimental Supply Sergeant		Cavalry	1918/05/07
4	Regimental Supply Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
4	Regimental Supply Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
4	Regimental Supply Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
4	Regimental Supply Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15
5	Battalion Sergeant Major		Army School Detachments	1917/08/15
5	Squadron Sergeant Major		Cavalry	1917/08/15
5	Sergeant Major, junior grade		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
5	Battalion Sergeant Major		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
5	Battalion Sergeant Major		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
5	Battalion Sergeant Major		Infantry	1917/08/15
5	Battalion Supply Sergeant		Army School Detachments	1917/08/15
5	Battalion Supply Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant		Army School Detachments	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant		Army Detachment, U.S. Military Academy	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15
6	First Sergeant (drum major)		Cavalry	1917/08/15	The first sergeant of the regimental headquarters troop had additional duty as drum major. Discontinued 1918/05/07.
6	First Sergeant of Band (drum major)		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15	Discontinued 1918/05/07.
6	First Sergeant (drum major)		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15	The first sergeant of the regimental headquarters company had additional duty as drum major. Discontinued 1918/05/07.
6	First Sergeant (drum major)		Field Artillery	1917/08/15	The first sergeant of the regimental headquarters company had additional duty as drum major. Discontinued 1918/05/07.
6	First Sergeant (drum major)		Infantry	1917/08/15	The first sergeant of the regimental headquarters company had additional duty as drum major. Discontinued 1918/05/07.
7	Electrician Sergeant 1st Class		Army School Detachments	1917/08/15
7	Electrician Sergeant 1st Class		Army School Detachments	1918/05/07
7	Electrician Sergeant 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
7	Electrician Sergeant 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
7	Assistant Engineer		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Medical Department	1917/08/15
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Medical Department	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Ordnance Corps	1917/12/29
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Signal Corps	1917/08/15
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Tank Corps	1918/02/19
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Tank Corps	1918/05/07	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn.
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Corps of Interpreters	1918/02/19
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Corps of Interpreters	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Corps of Intelligence Police	1918/02/19
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Corps of Intelligence Police	1918/05/07
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Air Service	1918/07/17	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn. There were also variants with a white propeller.
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn. There were also variants with a white tire on the wheel.
7	Sergeant 1st Class		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn.
8	Master Gunner		Army Detachment, U.S. Military Academy	1917/08/15
8	Master Gunner		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
8	Band Sergeant and Assistant Leader		U.S. Military Academy Band	1917/08/15
8	Assistant Band Leader		U.S. Military Academy Band	1918/05/07
8	Assistant Band Leader		Cavalry	1917/08/15
8	Assistant Band Leader		Cavalry	1917/12/29
8	Assistant Band Leader		Cavalry	1918/05/07
8	Assistant Band Leader		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
8	Assistant Band Leader		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
8	Assistant Band Leader		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
8	Assistant Band Leader		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
8	Assistant Band Leader		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
8	Assistant Band Leader		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
8	Assistant Band Leader		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
8	Assistant Band Leader		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
8	Assistant Band Leader		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
8	Assistant Band Leader		Infantry	1917/08/15
8	Assistant Band Leader		Infantry	1917/12/29
8	Assistant Band Leader		Infantry	1918/05/07
8	Sergeant Bugler		Cavalry	1917/08/15
8	Sergeant Bugler		Cavalry	1917/12/29
8	Sergeant Bugler		Cavalry	1918/05/07
8	Sergeant Bugler		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
8	Sergeant Bugler		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
8	Sergeant Bugler		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
8	Sergeant Bugler		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
8	Sergeant Bugler		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
8	Sergeant Bugler		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
8	Sergeant Bugler		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
8	Sergeant Bugler		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
8	Sergeant Bugler		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
8	Sergeant Bugler		Infantry	1917/08/15
8	Sergeant Bugler		Infantry	1917/12/29
8	Sergeant Bugler		Infantry	1918/05/07
8	Drum Major		U.S. Military Academy Band	1917/08/15
8	Drum Major		U.S. Military Academy Band	1918/05/07
8	Sergeant of Field Music		U.S. Military Academy Band	1917/08/15
8	Sergeant of Field Music		U.S. Military Academy Band	1918/05/07
8	Electrician Sergeant 2nd Class		Army School Detachments	1917/08/15
8	Electrician Sergeant 2nd Class		Army School Detachments	1918/05/07
8	Electrician Sergeant 2nd Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
8	Electrician Sergeant 2nd Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
8	Radio Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
8	Radio Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
9	Color Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/08/15
9	Color Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
9	Color Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
9	Color Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
9	Color Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Army Detachment, U.S. Military Academy	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Army School Detachments	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Medical Department	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Medical Department	1918/05/07
10	Sergeant		Ordnance Corps	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
10	Sergeant		Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
10	Sergeant		Signal Corps	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
10	Sergeant		U.S. Military Academy Band	1917/08/15
10	Sergeant		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
10	Sergeant		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
10	Sergeant		Tank Corps	1918/02/19
10	Sergeant		Tank Corps	1918/05/07	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn.
10	Sergeant		Air Service	1918/07/17	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn. There were also variants with a white propeller.
10	Sergeant		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn. There were also variants with a white tire on the wheel.
10	Sergeant		Corps of Interpreters	1918/02/19
10	Sergeant		Corps of Interpreters	1918/05/07
10	Sergeant		Corps of Intelligence Police	1918/02/19
10	Sergeant		Corps of Intelligence Police	1918/05/07
10	Sergeant		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn.
10	Supply Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/08/15
10	Supply Sergeant		Cavalry	1918/05/07
10	Supply Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
10	Supply Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
10	Supply Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
10	Supply Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
10	Supply Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
10	Supply Sergeant		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
10	Supply Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15
10	Supply Sergeant		Infantry	1918/05/07
10	Mess Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/08/15	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Cavalry	1918/05/07	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Field Artillery	1918/05/07	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Mess Sergeant		Infantry	1918/05/07	The former insignia of commissary sergeants, disestablished in 1912, were also worn unofficially by mess sergeants.
10	Stable Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/08/15
10	Stable Sergeant		Cavalry	1918/05/07
10	Stable Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
10	Stable Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
10	Stable Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
10	Stable Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
10	Stable Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
10	Stable Sergeant		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
10	Stable Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15
10	Stable Sergeant		Infantry	1918/05/07
10	Band Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/08/15
10	Band Sergeant		Cavalry	1917/12/29
10	Band Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
10	Band Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
10	Band Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
10	Band Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
10	Band Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
10	Band Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
10	Band Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
10	Band Sergeant		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
10	Band Sergeant		Infantry	1917/08/15
10	Band Sergeant		Infantry	1917/12/29
10	Motor Sergeant		Cavalry	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Infantry	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Medical Department	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Tank Corps	1918/05/07
10	Motor Sergeant		Air Service	1918/07/17
10	Motor Sergeant		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15
10	Motor Sergeant		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25
10	Fireman		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
10	Chief Mechanic		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
10	Chief Mechanic		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Cavalry	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Infantry	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Medical Department	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Tank Corps	1918/05/07
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Air Service	1918/07/17
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15
10	Chauffeur 1st Class		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25
11	Corporal		Army Detachment, U.S. Military Academy	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Army School Detachments	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Cavalry	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Infantry	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Medical Department	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Medical Department	1918/05/07
11	Corporal		Ordnance Corps	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
11	Corporal		Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
11	Corporal		Signal Corps	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
11	Corporal		U.S. Military Academy Band	1917/08/15
11	Corporal		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
11	Corporal		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
11	Corporal		Tank Corps	1918/02/19
11	Corporal		Tank Corps	1918/05/07	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn.
11	Corporal		Air Service	1918/07/17	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn. There were also variants with a white propeller.
11	Corporal		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn. There were also variants with a white tire on the wheel.
11	Corporal		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25	Unauthorized versions using a branch device were also worn.
11	Band Corporal		Cavalry	1917/08/15
11	Band Corporal		Cavalry	1918/05/07
11	Band Corporal		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
11	Band Corporal		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
11	Band Corporal		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
11	Band Corporal		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
11	Band Corporal		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
11	Band Corporal		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
11	Band Corporal		Infantry	1917/08/15
11	Band Corporal		Infantry	1918/05/07
11	Corporal Bugler		Cavalry	1918/05/07
11	Corporal Bugler		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
11	Corporal Bugler		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
11	Corporal Bugler		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
11	Corporal Bugler		Infantry	1918/05/07
12	Lance Corporal		U.S. Military Academy Band	1917/08/15
12	Chauffeur		Cavalry	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Infantry	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Medical Department	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Tank Corps	1918/05/07
12	Chauffeur		Air Service	1918/07/17
12	Chauffeur		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15
12	Chauffeur		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25
12	Bugler 1st Class		Cavalry	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Infantry	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Medical Department	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Tank Corps	1918/05/07
12	Bugler 1st Class		Air Service	1918/07/17
12	Mechanic		Cavalry	1917/08/15
12	Mechanic		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
12	Mechanic		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
12	Mechanic		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
12	Mechanic		Infantry	1917/08/15
12	Mechanic		Ordnance Corps	1917/08/15
12	Saddler		Cavalry	1917/08/15
12	Saddler		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
12	Saddler		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
12	Saddler		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
12	Saddler		Infantry	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Cavalry	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Infantry	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Medical Department	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Ordnance Corps	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Signal Corps	1917/08/15
12	Cook		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
12	Cook		Tank Corps	1918/02/19
12	Cook		Air Service	1918/07/17
12	Farrier		Medical Department	1917/08/15	Unauthorized after 1917/05/07
12	Horseshoer		Cavalry	1917/08/15
12	Horseshoer		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
12	Horseshoer		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
12	Horseshoer		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
12	Horseshoer		Infantry	1917/08/15
12	Horseshoer		Medical Department	1917/08/15
12	Wagoner		Cavalry	1917/08/15
12	Wagoner		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
12	Wagoner		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
12	Wagoner		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
12	Wagoner		Infantry	1917/08/15
12	Wagoner		Medical Department	1917/08/15
12	Musician 1st Class		Cavalry	1917/12/29
12	Musician 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
12	Musician 1st Class		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
12	Musician 1st Class		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
12	Musician 1st Class		Infantry	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Cavalry	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Infantry	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Medical Department	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Ordnance Corps	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Quartermaster Corps	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Signal Corps	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
12	Bugler		Tank Corps	1917/12/29
12	Bugler		Air Service	1918/07/17
12	Private 1st Class		Cavalry	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to headquarters of a cavalry division, cavalry brigade, or cavalry division train.
12	Private 1st Class		Cavalry	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to headquarters of Coast Artillery districts.
12	Private 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to engineer trains.
12	Private 1st Class		Corps of Engineers	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Field Artillery	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to ammunition trains, artillery parks and headquarters of army artillery, artillery brigades or Coast Artillery districts.
12	Private 1st Class		Field Artillery	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Infantry	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to headquarters of a territorial department, infantry division, infantry brigade, or infantry division train.
12	Private 1st Class		Infantry	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Ordnance Corps	1917/08/15
12	Private 1st Class		Ordnance Corps	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Signal Corps	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to the Aviation Section until 17 July 1918.
12	Private 1st Class		Signal Corps	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Medical Department	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to sanitary trains.
12	Private 1st Class		Medical Department	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15	Also used by privates first class assigned to supply trains.
12	Private 1st Class		Quartermaster Corps	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Tank Corps	1918/02/19
12	Private 1st Class		Tank Corps	1918/05/07	A variant using the entire Tank Corps device was also used.
12	Private 1st Class		Tank Corps	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
12	Private 1st Class		Chemical Warfare Service	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		General Recruiting Service	1918/05/07
12	Private 1st Class		General Recruiting Service	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Army School Detachments	1918/05/07
12	Private 1st Class		Army School Detachments	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Army Detachment, U.S. Military Academy	1918/05/07
12	Private 1st Class		Army Detachment, U.S. Military Academy	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Headquarters (GHQ, army HQ, corps HQ)	1918/05/07
12	Private 1st Class		Headquarters (GHQ, army HQ, corps HQ)	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Air Service	1918/07/17	There were also variants with a white propeller.
12	Private 1st Class		Air Service	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15	There were also variants with a white tire on the wheel.
12	Private 1st Class		Motor Transport Corps	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Provost Marshal General's Department	1919/01/25
12	Private 1st Class		Provost Marshal General's Department	1919/07/26
12	Private 1st Class		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25
12	Private 1st Class		Transportation Corps	1919/07/26
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Cavalry	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Corps of Engineers	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Field Artillery	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Infantry	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Medical Department	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Ordnance Corps	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Quartermaster Corps	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Signal Corps	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Chemical Warfare Service	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Tank Corps	1918/05/07
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Air Service	1918/07/17
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15
13	Assistant Chauffeur		Transportation Corps	1919/01/25
13	Musician 2nd Class		Cavalry	1917/12/29
13	Musician 2nd Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
13	Musician 2nd Class		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
13	Musician 2nd Class		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
13	Musician 2nd Class		Infantry	1917/12/29
13	Musician 3rd Class		Cavalry	1917/12/29
13	Musician 3rd Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/12/29
13	Musician 3rd Class		Corps of Engineers	1917/12/29
13	Musician 3rd Class		Field Artillery	1917/12/29
13	Musician 3rd Class		Infantry	1917/12/29
13	Private	no insignia	Cavalry	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Corps of Engineers	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Field Artillery	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Infantry	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Medical Department	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Ordnance Corps	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Quartermaster Corps	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Signal Corps	1917/08/15
13	Private	no insignia	Chemical Warfare Service	1918/02/19
13	Private	no insignia	Tank Corps	1918/02/19
13	Private	no insignia	Air Service	1918/07/17
13	Private	no insignia	Motor Transport Corps	1918/10/15
13	Private	no insignia	Provost Marshal General's Department	1918/10/15
13	Private	no insignia	Transportation Corps	1919/01/25

Artillery Ratings

Sergeants, corporals, privates first class and privates of the artillery branches could qualify for special ratings which carried additional pay. For sergeants and corporals, the insignia was worn below the chevrons.

Title	Insignia	Branch	Date
Casemate Electrician		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Casemate Electrician		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
Observer 1st Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Plotter		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Plotter		Coast Artillery Corps	1918/05/07
Chief Planter		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Coxswain		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Chief Loader		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Observer 2nd Class		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Gun Commander		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Gun Pointer		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Gunner 1st Class		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
Gunner 1st Class, gun or mortar company		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Gunner 1st Class, mine company		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Gunner 2nd Class		Field Artillery	1917/08/15
Gunner 2nd Class, gun or mortar company		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15
Gunner 2nd Class, mine company		Coast Artillery Corps	1917/08/15

Acknowledgement:

Lieut. Colonel William Emerson has done the definitive research on army grade insignia, and his work has been a great influence on this site. His website: emersoninsignia.net

His books, which include extensive historical information and a cataloging system for enlisted grade insignia:

• Chevrons: Illustrated History and Catalog of U.S. Army Insignia, Smithsonian Institution, 1983.
• U.S. Army Soldiers And Their Chevrons: An Illustrated Catalog and History from the Revolutionary War to Present, R. James Bender Publishing, 2013.