Very RARE EIB Metal Expert Infantry Man Badge Airborne Marked J. Balme France
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:369050 | Time Period, War: Vietnam |
| Origin: USA | Product+Type: EIB |
| Material: metal | Country/Region of Manufacture: France |
| Product Type: ExpertInfantrymans Badge | Type: U.S. Army |
This is an original full size Expert Infantryman Badge or EIB
This is the very rare Balme version of the EIB or US Army Expert Infantryman Badge. The Expert Infantryman Badge, or EIB, is a military badge of the United States Army. It is the non-combat equivalent to the Combat Infantryman Badge. The primary difference between the decorations is the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is awarded for participation in Infantry ...ground combat against a hostile enemy force, while the Expert Infantryman Badge is presented for successful completion of an approved Army course of rigorous testing of infantry skills and endurance.
The EIB and CIB were first authorized during World War II (1944) and continue to this day as one of the most prestigious awards a soldier can earn. The CIB signifies that an INFANTRYMAN or Special Forces Soldier has been in actual combat against a hostile enemy force. The EIB or CIB is worn above all other badges and ribbons on the Army uniform. This EIB is hallmarked J. Balme FRANCE.
This EIB is a very rare French made J. Balme badge that was manufactured back in the late 1980's and into the early 1990's. They are no longer made or available in most cases. It has taken a lot of time, effort and money to locate just a few of these very rare badges. Balme made some absolutely exquisite military badges, wings and insignia to include US Army Parachute Jump Wings, Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges, Air Assault Wings and USAF Flight Wings. This is a two piece badge with the decorated 1795 musket applied as a separate piece. It comes with the original Balme packaging as shown.
In 1944 Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall initiated the development of an award to honor the U.S. Army Infantryman. The Office of Heraldic Activity of the Quartermaster General began work on designing a badge that would represent the U.S. Infantry's tough, hard hitting role in combat and symbolize proficiency in the Infantry arts. The CIB and EIB are only awarded to U.S. Army personnel who hold Infantry or Special Forces military occupational specialties (MOS). To be awarded the EIB, the service member must complete a testing phase which is the culmination of weeks of training, leading to a final evaluation period. The EIB test is administered on the average once per year with pass rates usually averaging less than 10 percent, depending on the unit conducting testing. Personnel who have been awarded both the EIB and the CIB are not authorized to wear both decorations simultaneously. In such cases, the CIB has precedence according to Army Regulation 670-1.
See Photos. A nice addition to any elite insignia collection. See my other listings for more parachute wings and elite unit memorabilia. Winning Buyer pays $5.00 postage and handling. Insurance, if desired, is extra. Email me if you have any questions. Payment in U.S. Dollars by PayPal (PREFERRED for immediate shipment).AIRBORNE! Pay me securely with any major credit card through PayPal!
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