Posted 7 days ago
Patriotica
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The Presidential Service Badge replaced the White House Service Badge by Executive Order 11174 signed September 1, 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson (since amended several times through President George H. W. Bush). Its original prototype was begun late in the Administration of President John F. Kennedy but not completed until the following year under President Johnson.
The original prototype featured a silver base metal presidential eagle on a navy blue ceramic disc surmounted on a brass plate with rays emanating from the edges. There were no stars. The final design featured a gold brass presidential eagle with the addition of 50 white stars around the presidential eagle on a navy blue ceramic disc on a brass plate featuring gays emanating from the edges. Three pins were affixed to the reverse. The badge measure 1 15/16" with a thickness of .250" (.275" current version).
The reverse has a serial number 3/32 inches in height in Roman serif type (san serif in 1978) centered 1/4 inch from the bottom with an original hallmark of a rhombus featuring the initials of Williams & Anderson, Co. with additional hallmarks of H.L.P GI (some unauthorized for sale) and Antaya GI, later makers of the Presidential Service Badge.
Each badge was numbered and issued to a military recipient by name and rank and kept on file at the White House Military Office. After a year of service the badge would become a permanent decoration to be worn on Class A uniforms even after leaving the post. The total number issued is about 45,000 or so as of 2024, according to the Presidential Service Association. A certificate of service also accompanies the Presidential Service Badge.