In World War II members of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps wore Dog Tags of a different shape than the Army and Air Force. They were oval shaped, had either one (P1917) or two (P1940) holes, and were engraved or etched rather than debossed or stamped.
Our reproductions are made of matte finish stainless steel with laser engraved dark etching.
Read more about the history of Navy Dogtags, their official launch, and how fingerprints were etched on the back on the official Naval History and Heritage Command website. Contact us if you require a fingerprint laser engraved on the back of your replica dogtags.
These tags were also issued to The United States Naval Women's Reserve during WWII, better known as the WAVES (for Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service).
To assist with making replica regulation Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) we have created a template that automatically formats the information to the era-specific layout. Alternatively, if you have the original Dog Tags in-hand it may be easier to just recreate them directly on the Dog Tag Maker page, or just email us us a photo of them and we can do it for you.
Explore more Navy Dog Tags templates for
Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) set includes:
See what our satisfied customers have been saying about our Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era):
Why do people buy WWII era Dog Tags?
- Veterans order replacement sets of Dog Tags because they have lost their originals, they have been 'borrowed' by family members, or they want to give sets to their family as a memento.
- Family members and friends who want to create a little bit of history to celebrate and remember their loved ones who served.
- Veterans who never received Dog Tags (i.e. reservists).
- Historical re-enactors who are looking for period authentic uniforms.
Why do some WWII Dog Tags have notches?
The notch on the Dog Tag was there to align it on a handheld transcription machine (Model 70 Addressograph Patent) which was used by field medics to quickly transfer the soldierβs information onto paper medical forms or burial records. This is also the reason why Dog Tags in this era were debossed so that they became in effect the printing press to record information on paperwork using an ink ribbon. Notched Dog Tags were standard issue until December 1964 until the Department of Defense officially switched to Dog Tags without notches in early 1965. However, military bases with older notched-style tags in inventory still issued them for a while from 1965 up until 1966. Some soldiers colloquially refered to it as a "tooth notch". What does the T mean on a WWII Dog Tag?
Why were 4 different Dog Tag formats used in WWII?
- In 1940 the US Army issued Dog Tags with the top two lines for the soldierβs name and serial number respectively. Lines three to five were used to record the emergency contact information, usually their next of kinβs name, address, city and state.
- Beginning in November of 1941 regulations greatly improved the value of the identification tags by including critical medical information. The second line, in addition to the serial number, now included the years of the wearerβs tetanus shots and their blood type. This new information greatly assisted with medical treatments in the field. A letter code was also added to the fifth or fourth line to indicate their religious preference.
- The next major change to the information on US Army Dog Tags came in July of 1943 when the emergency contact information was removed from issued tags for a good reason... Soldiers heading overseas to fight in Europe with existing tags were issued new tags minus their next of kin information. This change was done to prevent the enemy from intimidating captured soldiers by threatening their family with the information carried on their Dog Tag.
- The last change to US Army identification tags during WW2 in 1944 was essentially an administrative one. New tags issued would follow a standard layout of Last Name, First Name Initial.. Prior to this the regulations called for the 'Name of Wearer' and would be embossed by the machine operator as they saw fit. Soldiers with tags issued before this would not get new ones as there was not a functional change to the use of the tags.
What metals were WWII Dog Tags made of?
What types of Dog Tags necklaces were used in WWII?
Originally Dog Tags were issued with a variety of fabric materials for use as necklaces such as Cotton Herringbone Twill tape. A specialized linked curb chain for tags was produced which had two sets of J-clasps aka Sister-Hooks that would clamp around the hole in each Dog Tag and suspend one below the other. It require 2 hands to open and close the clasp. Beaded ball chains became available for optional purchase in the quartermaster supply shops and soldiers began to prefer them over the J-clasps. A fatter ball chain was eventually replaced by a smaller ball chain that quickly became the standard that is still used today.When were Dogtag silencers first used?
Original Dogtag silencers were 'home-made' by innovative G.I.'s during WWII by cutting the hose rings from discarded gas-masks. These 'home-made' latex rubber rings stretched and fit perfectly around their issued ID Dogtags and prevented them from 'clinking' together. See our irreverent video on the History of Dogtag silencers and their origin during WWII.What is Debossed lettering?
This method presses the letters into metal so that that they are sunken below the surface (indented) into the Dog Tag. They allowed for making carbon copies of the soldier's information for medical records with the M70 Addressograph discussed above. Sometimes the letters would darken over time as the result of an accumulation of dirt and grime, which actually made the tags easier to read. This effect can be replicated on newly made tags, essentially speeding up the process that time naturally does, by rubbing in black shoe polish, letting it dry for 30 seconds, and then wiping the surface of the tag with a cloth. We offer this as an add-on service if you don't want to do it yourself. Debossed text is indeed harder to read than modern embossed (raised) text which is why the military switched to using embossing in the 1970s. For ease of reading, many of our veteran customers or their families will choose to have tags made using modern embossed text, even though it is not historically accurate to the original tags they are recreating.Where can I research my relative's military records?
- Fold3.com
A premium comprehensive paid service (with Free Trial) covering a large span of period of wars and nationalities.
- National Archives Military Records
- National Archives Enlisted Records (1938-1946)
- National Archives Reserve Corps Records (1938-1946)
- eVetrRecs for Veterans and Next of Kin
- National Archives Veteran's Service Records Request
Request DD 214/ Separation Documents, Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), Replacement Medals, Medical and Health Records
Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) Template Creator
Enter your info into the form below to easily create replica Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era). You can often find this information on DD 214 discharge papers. Watch this YouTube video for a demo. You can also design your tags free-form without using this template, or use our pen-and-paper mail/fax order form, or just send us an email with a description or photo of the original Dog Tags.
Overwrite the light grey text with your particulars and then click the Preview button. You can then make optional changes to your design (i.e. hole/notch location) or choose different chains and silencers on the following preview page.
What is the Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) format?
Our replica Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) have Laser Engraved text on a 1½" x 1¼" oval dull stainless steel Dog Tag, flat edges, hole on left or right with the suggested regulation format:
- [Last Name]
- [First Name] [Middle Initial]
- [Serial No.] [Religion Code]
- [Month and Year of Tetanus]
- [Blood Type]
- [Naval Branch]
A wide variety of different formats were used during WWII and even varied from unit to unit. Generally the following information was used in various layouts. Blood type did not include Rh Factor.
How do your replicas compare with the original Dog Tags?
With the permission of the current owners of the originals, the military issued Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) are shown next to our reproduction for comparison. Military bios and photos of the original dogtag owners are displayed when available.
1943 USNR WAVES - Genevieve Mary Duda
The tag on the left belonged to Genevieve Mary Duda, a proud veteran of the waves during WWII. The original tag on the left was mechanically stamped, our replica on the right is laser engraved which simulates the effect.
Thank you Genevieve Mary Duda for your military service, we salute you!
Photos and history provided courtesy of her daughter Mary.
If you'd also like to share photos of Dog Tags and military service history of yourself or veterans in your family please Contact Us.
Other WWII Navy Vets used these alternate variations of Navy and USMC Dog Tags from that era as replica ideas, click to personalize one for yourself:
Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) Photos
World War II Era Dog Tags Accessories
Other items related to World War II Era Dog Tags:
P-38 Can Opener
WWII Airborne Clicker
War Whistle
10th Army (WWII) Patch
Kilroy Was Here
6th Marine Division Decal
U.S. Military Dog Tags Accessories
Other items related to U.S. Military Dog Tags:
I Got Your Six Sticker
Thin Green Line Tag Sticker
Yellow Ribbon Tag Sticker
More About Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era)
During World War II the US military issued Dog Tags to members of the Army, Navy, Marines, Army Air Force, National Guard, Womenβs Army Corps, Coast Guard, & Merchant Marines.
Dog Tags contained information about the soldier and were used as a form of identification. The information on the Dog Tags varied considerably depending on the branch of service and the year.
If you are looking for more historical information about WWII Dog Tags and those who served we recommend the National Archives or eVetrRecs.
Lost Dogtags
Are you a veteran who lost his Dog Tags years ago? We can make you a new set that look almost identical to your originals depending on when you served. We also offer a Veteran discount!
Memorial Keepsakes
Recreations of personal historical Dog Tags from specific war eras make sentimental souvenir mementos to honor the memory of a loved one.
Commemorate your grandfather, father, or other veteran family members who served in the military with a recreation set of replica Dog Tags to match their originals.
Military Family Dogtags
Is one of your relatives in the military? Support your soldier with a Military Family Dogtag.
Not to be used for impersonation!
Not only is Stolen Valor unethical and disrespecful to our service members and veterans, it IS illegal in most jurisdications to impersonate a member of the armed forces. Unlike Military ID Cards, dogtags are not a valid form of official military identification so it is not illegal per se to wear them. However lying about military service or trying to pass yourself of as a service member or vet by wearing a uniform or medals that were not earned is criminalized in some circumstances, especially if done with the goal of obtaining money or other kinds of tangible benefits. Under no circumstances should dog tags be worn with this intent.
Giving back to Veterans
MyDogTag.com supports our military and veteran community by actively sponsoring Military, Veteran, and P.T.S.D. charities and organizations with free Dog Tags, often in memory and support of deceased and injured veterans and their families.
U.S. Military Dog Tags Frequently Asked Questions
Does the military still issue Dog Tags?
Are these real military Dog Tags?
Why do soldiers have 2 Dog Tags?
Do soldiers have to wear Dog Tags?
Where can I find official specs for USA military Dog Tags?
Where can I find the official records to put on the Dog Tags?
Where can I research my relative's military records?
Were civilians ever issued Dog Tags?
Were 'Military Brats' ever issued Dog Tags?
About Dog Tags from MyDogtag.com
At MyDogtag.com, we provide premium quality Personalized Military Dog Tags for sale that will last a lifetime. They are completely customizable so you can easily order G.I. replica Dog Tags as per military specs, or use your own design for any other use or occasion. The tag starts as a blank canvas, what you put on it is entirely your choice... you aren't obligated to put official Military Dog Tag info on it. You also get to see a preview of what your finished Dog Tag set will look like before you even order it! We can even laser engrave your custom logo or image!
All orders are shipped within 1 business day and are usually delivered within 1 week (in North America). If you need any assistance creating or ordering your Navy & USMC Dog Tags 1921-1950 (WWII Era) please contact us directly, we are here to help!
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More Questions and Info about our Dog tags.
- What are the specs of the Dog Tags do you offer?
- What's the difference between Embossed and Debossed?
- What Chain sizes and fasteners are available?
- What are silencers for?
- Why do some Dog Tags not come with silencers?
- What can I put on my Dog Tags?
- What characters are allowed on my Dog Tag?
- How can I fit more characters on my Dog Tag?
- Do you make BRAILLE Dog Tags?
- Are these real military Dog Tags?
- Why are two tags issued in each set? Can I order only one?
- How do you make your Dog Tags?
- Are Dog Tags suitable for small children?
- What are the official specifications for USA Military Dog Tags?
- What are the official specifications for Canadian ID Discs?
- Where can I learn more about Dog Tags?
Still have questions? Please see our comprehensive FAQ
