Senior United States Army officer (1912-2005) who designed the U.S. Army's parachutist badge, paratrooper or 'jump' boots, and the airborne jump uniform. He is known as the ‘Father of the Modern Green Berets.’ Rare presentation of the Army Parachutist Badge, which was personally gifted to the consignor by Lieutenant General William P. Yarborough, whose original design of the insignia was approved by the Department of the Army in March of 1941. The wooden display, 9.5 x 11.5, contains three mounted badges for “Basic,” “Senior,” and “Master,” each hallmarked sterling silver; the frame backing bears an affixed photo of Yarborough presenting the display to the consignor. In fine condition.
Yarborough volunteered for the airborne forces and joined the newly formed 501st Parachute Battalion in late 1940 and was given command of Company ‘C.’ Later, as Test Officer for the Provisional Parachute Group in 1941, he designed the paratrooper's boot, the paratrooper's uniform, the parachutist badge, and airborne background trimming, as well as a number of aerial delivery containers for which he received U. S. patents. According to Yarborough: ‘Of heraldic significance there is little other than the following: Wings in the raised position supporting the chute symbolize the fact that we are transported by air, but not wings of our own, or by our own planes. The wings are not in an active flying attitude, which is symbolic of our gliding or floating to our objective.’
