WWII dog tags were identification tags worn by US service members so that they could be identified if they were killed or wounded. Most soldiers wore two on a chain, and the details stamped on them changed during the war. This guide explains the Army tag format, how Navy and Marine tags differed, and what to consider when valuing an original or a replica.
Why soldiers wore two tags
The tags existed to identify the wearer. Army rules from 1916 required two tags. When a soldier died, one tag was normally kept with the remains and the other was attached to the grave marker. If one tag was missing, the remaining tag stayed with the body until a substitute could be made. Two tags were therefore a practical safeguard, not a decoration.
The Army tag format
The Army tag was a rectangle about 2 inches by 1 1/8 inches, with a notch at one end. The notch held the tag in the embossing and imprinting machines. Early tags had five lines of text, and the characters were embossed, so they stand raised from the surface rather than printed on it.
The data on the tag changed during the war:
- From late 1940 to November 1941, the tag carried the name, service number and next-of-kin details.
- From November 1941, blood type, a tetanus shot notation and religious preference were added. Religion appeared as a single letter, such as P, C or H.
- In July 1943, next-of-kin details were removed.
- In March 1944, the name order changed to surname first, then first name and middle initial.
Service numbers
The Army service number, often called the Army serial number, was introduced in 1918 to tell apart men with the same names. From 1940 numbers were allotted by component. Regular Army numbers began with 1, National Guard numbers with 20, and draftee numbers with 3. The digit that follows the prefix indicated the corps area or service command where the man was enlisted or inducted. The series changed as the war went on, so a number is a clue to origin, not proof of it.
Metals and chains
Early Army tags were made from Monel, a nickel-copper alloy. As metals became scarce, makers used brass, steel and stainless steel. Stainless steel was adopted in 1942 and became the main material later in the war. The metal helps date a tag, but it does not settle its origin on its own.
Chains varied too. Soldiers were first issued cotton tape or curb chains with J-clasps. Many swapped them for bead chains, which became popular and were sold by the quartermaster.
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard tags
The Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard used oval tags rather than the Army’s rectangle. Check the shape before assuming a set is Army. For how Navy uniforms and insignia were identified, see US Navy WWII uniforms and insignia.
Replicas and how to tell them apart
Replicas are sold widely, some as memorial keepsakes or for re-enactors. When you check a tag, look at:
- Shape and notch: Army tags have the notch; Navy and Marine tags are oval.
- Stamping method: original Army tags were embossed by machine. Many modern tags are laser-engraved or stamped differently.
- Metal and finish: the alloy and the surface should suit the period and the tag’s date.
- Content: the data should match the format for the tag’s date, such as the fields and name order.
What affects value
Values vary widely, and the same type of tag can sell for very different amounts depending on its details. Collectors look at:
- Whether the tags are original or replicas.
- Whether both tags and the chain are present.
- Legibility and condition, including corrosion and any damage to the stamping.
- Documentation, such as service records, photographs or a known owner.
- The format and period, since some formats are scarcer than others.
To judge a comparable set, look at recent sold listings rather than asking prices.
Researching a name
If you have a name or service number, start with the National Archives and the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) in St. Louis, which holds many former service members’ files. A 1973 fire at NPRC damaged many Army personnel files from this period, so some records may be incomplete.
Caring for tags
Store tags dry and away from PVC plastic, which can damage some metals over time. Do not polish them, since polishing removes the surface and can blur the stamping. Keep the chain and both tags together.
Wearing tags: a legal and ethical note
Wearing a dog tag is generally not an offense in itself. Using tags, a uniform or other items to claim military service or honors that you did not earn can be a serious problem, and some places have laws against it. Treat tags as historical objects and respect the people they belonged to.