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
- Date
- 1944
- Period
- Second World War
- Made by
- U.S. Army, Army Conservation Program (signed G. C. Marshall, Chief of Staff)
- Region
- North America
- Country
- United States
- Medium
- Poster
- Issuer type
- Military
- Regime
- Roosevelt Administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Audience
- Own forces
- Purpose
- Reassure
- Theme
- War and the military
- Event
- World War II
- Regime
- Roosevelt administration
- Leader
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Source
- Identified Openly sourced: the speaker is who they say they are
- Source
- U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 44, World War II Posters, retrieved October 4, 2026
- Rights
- Public domain (U.S. government work)
U.S. Army. National Archives and Records Administration, RG 44, 44-PA-280 (NAID 513729).
Text on the object
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
