Dear ssbn04-ga,
The answer appears in full in this article,?The Origin of the Ranks
and Rank Insignia Now Used by the United States Armed Forces? on the
Naval Historical Center web site.
Here is an extract, but I recommend you read all of the article.
?Lieutenant Colonels started wearing oak leaves about 1832 on their
shoulder straps. The leaves had to be the same color as the shoulder
strap borders so Infantry Lieutenant Colonels wore silver leaves while
others wore gold. This arrangement, not surprisingly, lead to
confusion with some Majors and Lieutenant Colonels wearing gold leaves
while others wore silver leaves. The Army did away with that bit of
confusion in 1851 by having all officers wear straps with gold
borders, all Majors wear gold oak leaves, and all Lieutenant Colonels
wear silver leaves as they do today.?
http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/triv4-5i.htm
This article has additional information.
?In 1832 the color of the leaves had to be opposite the color of the
shoulder strap borders so Infantry Majors wore gold leaves while other
Majors wore silver. After 1851 all Majors wore gold oak leaves. They
did not have oak leaves on their epaulettes because the size of the
fringes on their epaulettes and other features of their uniforms
identified them as Majors.?
http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/triv4-5f.htm
Why Silver "Ranks" Gold.
http://www.armywives.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=164&Itemid=221
I hope this answers your question. If it does not, or the answer is
unclear, then please ask for clarification of this research before
rating the answer. I shall respond to the clarification request as
soon as I receive it.
Thank you
answerfinder |
