THE ROMANCE OF MILITARY INSIGNIA 



481 



of a cross or star, the 

 vast majority are cir- 

 cular - shaped, like a 

 coin, so that a fairly 

 close inspection is re- 

 quired to recognize the 

 distinction between 

 them. To provide a 

 ready means of identi- 

 fication, each has a dis- 

 tinctive ribbon, so that 

 by using different com- 

 binations of colors a 

 glance is sufficient to 

 identify the particular 

 decoration or medal. 

 This ribbon also serves 

 the purpose of provid- 

 ing a means of suspen- 

 sion for the medal it- 

 self; it therefore be- 

 comes an integral part 

 of the ornament, the 

 medal not being com- 

 plete without its own 

 distinctive ribbon. 



Ribbons are not used 

 with the different 

 badges which show 

 qualifications in small 

 arms, etc., as these 

 badges themselves are 

 either made in a shape 

 which is easily recog- 

 nized or they have a 

 plain and legible in- 

 scription indicating ex- 

 actly the purpose of the 

 badge. 



The insignia of mili- 

 tary and other societies 

 referred to previously 

 also have their distinc- 

 tive ribbons. These are 

 known by our War De- 

 partment as miscellane- 

 ous badges. They are 

 not official government 

 awards, but are given 

 only to the members of 

 a society by the society 

 itself. However, they 

 are decorations in the 

 broad acceptance o f 

 that word and as such 

 their wearing should be 



