RUPTURED DUCK ....salut to the veterans

The origin of "the Ruptured Duck" Insignia

The honorable service lapel button, sometimes called the honorable service lapel pin,is know to most as: Ruptured duck .It was an insignia designed by sculptor Anthony de Francisci .The award depicts an eagle inside a wreath and was worn on uniforms above the right breast pocket by WWII servicemen and women.The button was awarded between September 1939 and December 1946 and was made of gilt brass, except during metal shortages during which it was made of gilt plastic. Service members who received the plastic version were later allowed to trade it in for the brass version.

It was issued to service personnel who were about to leave the military with an Honorable Discharge. It also allowed them to continue to wear their uniform for up to thirty days after they were discharged since there was a clothing shortage at that time. This showed the MP's that they were in transit and not AWOL. Well, the boys thought the eagle looked more like a duck; and, because it meant they were going home, the popular saying was, "They took off like a Ruptured Duck"...hence the nickname......