---
title: A Mark of Distinction
url: https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/a-mark-of-distinction-motor-badge-1944/
description: A lit, oxidized-silver motor vehicle driver and mechanic badge with its hanging bars floats on a dark ground, with a paragraph of praise for every soldier
section: Collection
---

1. [Home](https://propagandaarchive.org/)
2. [Collection](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/)
3. A Mark of Distinction

[![A Mark of Distinction, 1944 US poster: A lit, oxidized-silver motor vehicle driver and mechanic badge with its hanging bars](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/a-mark-of-distinction-motor-badge-1944.jpg)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/images/a-mark-of-distinction-motor-badge-1944.jpg)

# A Mark of Distinction

A lit, oxidized-silver motor vehicle driver and mechanic badge with its hanging bars floats on a dark ground, with a paragraph of praise for every soldier who wears it, signed by the Army Chief of Staff. The tell is the signed testimonial from the highest-ranking officer, giving the badge's meaning prestige.

## Propaganda techniques used in this poster

[Testimonial](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/testimonial/) [Glittering generalities](https://propagandaarchive.org/techniques/glittering-generalities/)

## Text on the object

Original (English) · read from the image, not independently checked

```
A Mark of Distinction

DRIVER-W
DRIVER-T
DRIVER-M
MECHANIC

EVERY SOLDIER who wears this Badge* is performing meritorious military service. It means he is qualified to operate and maintain Army vehicles with high proficiency. It means he can be depended upon at all times, under all circumstances, to protect equipment needed to win the war.

[signature:] G. C. Marshall
G. C. MARSHALL,
Chief of Staff.

*QUALIFICATION BADGE, MOTOR VEHICLE DRIVER AND MECHANIC
1. Basic Badge and Bars of oxidized silver. Bars marked to show type of qualification: Driver-W (wheeled vehicles), Driver-T (track or half-track vehicles), Driver-M (motor-cycles), Mechanic (automotive or allied trade mechanic).
2. Authorized by Sec. II, Cir. No. 248, W.D., 28 July 1942, as amended by Sec. I, Cir. No. 119, W.D., 11 May 1943, and Par. 78, AR 600-35, 31 March 1944. Available upon requisition through regular Quartermaster supply channels.

[imprint:] ARMY CONSERVATION PROJECT NO. 105-O-14.
[imprint:] U.S. ARMY SAVE CONSERVATION PROGRAM
[imprint:] U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1944-O-595687
```

[← A crop that never fails: buy more bonds](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/a-crop-that-never-fails-6th-war-loan-1944/) [A Tribute from Home - Buy Victory Bonds →](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/a-tribute-from-home-buy-victory-bonds-canada-1944/)

## More propaganda examples that use the same techniques

- [Behistun (Bisotun) rock relief and trilingual inscription of Darius I: the king, two attendants and the bound rebel leaders beneath the winged figure of Ahuramazda](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/behistun-relief-darius-and-rebels-521bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Card stacking, Name-calling, Testimonial). Content note: Shows bound captives before the king, and the inscription records the mutilation and public execution of rebel leaders, as the king's own account.
- [Tomb of Darius I at Naqsh-e Rustam: the king in relief beside his inscription DNa, c. 490 BCE](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/dna-inscription-darius-i-naqsh-e-rustam-490bce/) (Achaemenid Empire · 0000 · Testimonial, Card stacking)
- [Seated limestone statue of Hatshepsut as king, with feminine royal titles on the throne, reassembled from fragments broken up at Deir el-Bahri](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/hatshepsut-seated-statue-limestone-met-1458bce/) (New Kingdom Egypt · 0000 · Transfer, Testimonial)
- [Bronze sestertius of Gaius (Caligula), reverse S P Q R P P OB CIVES SERVATOS in an oak wreath](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-caligula-ob-cives-servatos-0037/) (Roman Empire · 0037 · Testimonial, Transfer)
- [Bronze sestertius of Trajan, reverse S P Q R OPTIMO PRINCIPI, S C, the emperor on horseback riding down an enemy](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/sestertius-trajan-optimo-principi-0103/) (Roman Empire · 0103 · Testimonial, Glittering generalities)
- [Seljuq gold dinar of Sanjar, dated 493 AH, with the Abbasid caliph named on one face](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/seljuq-gold-dinar-sanjar-caliph-name-1099/) (Great Seljuk Empire · 1099 · Testimonial)
- [Estoire d'Eracles page with Bernard of Clairvaux preaching the Second Crusade in the initial (Walters W.137, fol. 180v)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eracles-bernard-preaching-second-crusade-w137-1275/) (France · 1275 · Testimonial)
- [Opening page of the Estoire d'Eracles (William of Tyre in French), with the Crucifixion and Pope Urban II preaching the First Crusade in the initial (Walters W.137, fol. 1r)](https://propagandaarchive.org/collection/eracles-urban-ii-preaching-first-crusade-w137-1275/) (France · 1275 · Testimonial, Transfer)