U.S. Army Campaign Hat Cord Color Guide

This is an identification guide for the Campaign Hat Cords worn from 1851 to date. Colored cords to identify branch of service were worn on the Campaign Hat starting in 1851. By 1921, 24 different color cords had been authorized. Because the Campaign Hat was not taken to France during WW1, the Side Cap/Garrison Cap/Overseas Cap was authorized. Quickly becoming popular with the troops, the Side Cap/Garrison Cap/Overseas Cap replaced the Campaign Hat for everyone except Cavalry and Drill Instructors. By 1945, 29 different color combinations were in use as piping on the cap.
Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are of original authentic items of the period. This guide is for identification only. To correctly authenticate an item, it's size, weight, composition, and construction details must be examined. If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact [email protected].

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Campaign Hat Cord Examples


General Officers Gold	Field Officers Gold/Black	Line Officers Gold/Black	Infantry - Authorized 1851 Light Blue
Artillery - Authorized 1851 Scarlet	Cavalry - Authorized 1855 Yellow	Engineers - Authorized 1902 Scarlet/White	Signal Corps - Authorized 1902 Orange/White
Quartermaster Corps - Authorized 1902 Buff	Medical - Authorized 1916 Maroon/White	HQ Staff - Authorized 1916 Black	Detached Service - Authorized 1916 Green
Reserve Officer Traing Camp - Authorized 1916 Red, White, and Blue	Field Clerk - Authorized 1916 Silver/Black	Officers - Volunteer Training Corps - Authorized 1916 Gold/Black	Enlisted - Volunteer Training Corps - Authorized 1916 Blue/White
Young Men Christian Association - Authorized 1916 Steel Blue	Officer - Indian Scouts Red/White	Enlisted - Indian Scouts Red/White	Chemical Warfare - Authorized 1918 Blue/Yellow
Air Corps - Authorized 1920 Black/Green	Ordnance - Authorized 1921 Black/Scarlet	Finance - Authorized 1921 Silver Gray/Golden Yellow	National Guard - Authorized 1921 Blue

U.S. Army Campaign Hat Cord Color Guide

Campaign Hat Cord Examples

Side Cap/Garrison Cap/Overseas Cap Piping Examples