In World war 2 there are pins called SWEETHEART pins what are they and what were they used for??

Answer 1

I think it was kinda like a promise ring, but with less of a a promise. A boyfriend/girlfriend would exchange decorative pins as a sort of pledge/declaration that the other one is their sweetheart. Especially useful if the boy is going off to fight in the war, the pins serve as remembrances.

Answer 2

Sweetheart pins came in many shapes and sizes, also different designs, usually a mini version the soldiers Regiment badge or insignia, some were very plain and simple some in gold and silver with diamonds.

They became very popular in WW1 & WW2 continuing into the Korean War and Vietnam etc...etc...

The soldier gave them to his girl / wife to remember him while he was away in the war.

Today collecting them is a very big hobby, if you look on the military section of ebay you can see many types,from many countries.

Answer 3

This was a propaganda/psych ops thing the Army did to try to give some level of comfort to the millions of guys who left GFs behind.
The GFs were supposed to wear the pins as a "HANDS OFF" sign, signifying that they had boyfriends overseas.
Of course, it was ridiculous, no women wore them, they just took up with whatever 4F guys were lucky enough to be left behind.
My dad said 1942-1945 were the best years of his life, it was like a kid being in a candy store.