History

The Army Paratrooper Badge was approved by the United States Department of Army in 1941. The Paratrooper Badge may also be referred to as "Jump Wings" or "Silver Wings." The Army Paratrooper Badge is issued in 3 grades: Master Paratrooper Wings (highest grade), Senior Paratrooper Wings (second grade), and Basic Paratrooper Wings (third grade). The Basic Paratrooper Wings are awarded to military personnel of any service upon the successful completion of the United States Army Basic Airborne Course to recognize training and qualification as a parachutist and was awarded for service during the Second World War.

Paratrooper Badges are also issued by the United State Air Force and the United States Navy and Marine Corps. While the United States Coast Guard does not issue their own version of the Paratrooper Badge, members of the Marine Corps may be eligible to receive a Paratrooper Badge from another service in accordance with service requirements. The United States Air Force is the same design as the Army Paratrooper Badge.

There may be additional versions of the Basic Wings.