Wearing of outdated military insignia?

Question

Earlier today I bought a USN peacoat (ca. WWII) from an antique store for a steal of a price. The rating badge is still attached to the sleeve (Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class, worn previous to 5/31/41), and I thought I should remove it... however, even though I'm well versed in uniform regulations, as well as federal laws applicable to the wearing of military insignia, I've no clue as to whether it would be a violation of said laws and regulations to wear /outdated/ insignia. I'd rather not remove it if I don't have to -- I've attempted to find out whether it is permissible to leave it on, but to no avail. This is entirely new to me, and I want to be sure.

So -- is it permissible to wear outdated / antique insignia? Whatever the answer may be, please provide a source if possible. Thanks in advance.

As a former Sailor, I still have copies of Navy uniform regs on my computer (and I stay up to date). I have also performed several searches within U.S. Code, but I have yet to find anything specifically related to outdated insignia -- unless my searches themselves are flawed somehow.

Of course, current Navy uniform regs indicate that a rating badge cannot be worn on the peacoat 1) While in civilian clothes, 2) Upon separation/discharge. But those regulations are in reference to current rating badges/insignia.

I may have answered my own question, but I have yet to find anything specific to vintage/outdated insignia within U.S. Laws/Code.

Here's the applicable statute:

Here is the applicable federal statute:

Sec. 771. - Unauthorized wearing prohibited

Except as otherwise provided by law, no person except a member of the
Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps, as the case may be, may wear -

(1)
the uniform, or a distinctive part of the uniform, of the Army, Navy,
Air Force, or Marine Corps; or

(2)
a uniform any part of which is similar to a distinctive part of the
uniform of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps

--The scope of the law is pretty broad. I suppose it depends on whether "vintage" patches/insignia are still considered uniform items. Although, number 2 (above) indicates that it's adviseable that I take the patch off. Drat. If anyone runs into something more specific, please let me know. Thanks.

Thanks everyone.

@ Politically Wrong: Yes, I was aware of that -- but your last sentence is what I was looking for. I began searching various re-enacting websites, and if the uniform item is no longer serviceable, obsolete, or otherwise decommissioned, it is evidently legal to wear such items. I'll still look for something definite within the law, but I'm satisfied for now.

Answer 1

I don't know if this helps any or not, but my daddy has his peacoat with his patches on them still. I've worn the coat, as have other family members, and no one on base has ever said anything to us about it.
It's my understanding that the only way you'd be in any kind of violation(as military standards/code of honor and such) is if you were wearing it and portraying yourself to have been said WWII Sailor. In that case, it would be fraud.


I think that removing the patch would decrease the value of the coat though.

Answer 2

If you are a civilian do whatever you like.
I wear 1967 Jungle Fatigues when with the Vet organizations,,They have my old 1967 patches

Added: as a memeber of the Marine Corps Leauge, we wear current Marine uniforms. The catch is, if one is wearing the entire uniform all regulations apply, such as clean shaven and haircuts. I have a beard and cannot wear the full dress uniform.
My fatigues are obsolete, so there is no regs on it.

Answer 3

Its going to be distinctive the place you pass because of the fact some human beings will view it in a distinctive way, i'm interior the Marines my self and it could not likely worry me observing the situation so say you're enjoying air delicate and additionally to procure your BDUs/ACUs from a surplus save i be attentive to lots of the army patches are sewed on so i does not experience which you're being disrespectful yet once you have been out on the city donning it just to get a number of the advantages that i've got had to sweat and artwork problematic for then i could be very disappointed. seem into the Stolen Valor Act it became created not too earlier to objective and discourage human beings from impersonating a protection rigidity member and it could have all the guidelines on what can and could't be worn.

Answer 4

You can find Navy regs online. Search US Code to get to Fed law.

Answer 5

Its a vintage garment, I'm sure the fashion police have better things to do than start a manhunt to track you down.

So I'm sure you'll get away with wearing it.

Answer 6

I would remove it. As a sailor, I never wore a rating patch on my pea-coat, and I never saw anyone else who wore them.