UN badge

[Wartime Collectables]

Can anyone shed any light on the use of this badge? Drago France hallmarked loopback from a US veteran of the Korean War.

[uscob]

A Hallmark Number would help. For sure is that it's a Breast Hanger mounted on a Leather Fob. Maybe French Personel attached to UN Staff in Korea, but maybe it's for Worldwide Service.

[Garth Thompson]

That DRAGO hallmark was used 1946 - 1951.
Garth

[stray_dog]

It's a badge for the French Battalion in the Korean war (B.F.O.N.U. - Bataillon français de l' Organisation des Nations Unies), which saw action between 1950-1953. Didn't find the approval number, but by the mm, one can say that it was made in 1950-51.

So, the US vet must have got it as a souvenir by a French soldier, something pretty possible as the battalion was attached to the 23rd Inf. Rgt of the 2nd Inf. Div.

Regards, Giorgos

[Wartime Collectables]

Thanks all! Yes, I believe he was in the 2nd Division US in Korea.

[Garth Thompson]

I don't think the badge Andrew pictured is for the Battaillon Francais de Coree. I think Nico is correct in that it is a general French badge for UN service. Here is the badge for the B.F.d.C. attached to the 23rd IR of the 2nd ID.
Garth

[stray_dog]

I actually think that both of them are intended for the B.F.O.N.U.

The one posted by Garth is a beret badge, while the one that started the thread is described as "B.F.O.N.U. en Coree, insigne de col" (collar insignia).

Looking at period photos, these badges are not hanging from the right breast pocket, but are placed on the beret and the collar (on the left side) respectively.

Regards, Giorgos

PS: There's a nice photo of the collar badges on this link (not period but reenacting photos). http://bf.onu.en.coree.xooit.com/t36...U-en-Coree.htm

This badge can be seen on a cap, though, too. It looks like non-regulation was a standard, the more I look at related photos!