The Insignia
Several flamboyant badges were created for this elite airborne fighting force. The basic
paratrooper qualification badges (known as the Death Head Badge) were instituted in February
1940 (Royal Hungarian Army Gazette Nr. a 1042/ein. 2/r). The badges were designed and
created by the paratroopers themselves. The basic badge was awarded after five successful
training jumps.
The basic parachute badge depicted outstretched wings, to the center of the badge, there
is a bronze skull, from which derives the badge's name, Death Head Badge. Beneath the skull
are crossed swords, pointing downwards. The basic paratrooper badge exists in three grades:
officer, made from gilt bullion wire; NCO, in silver bullion wire; and EM, a stamped brass badge
with bronzed finish.
Some of the EM metal basic paratrooper badges were chromed with a bright silver finish
for formal wear. The EM brass badge measured 80mm from wing tip to wing tip and 36mm from
the lower base of the badge to the top of the badge, the bullion wing had the same
measurements but variances in size occurred due to different manufactures or custom tailoring
for the officers wing in bullion wire.
In 1942 a second type EM metal badge was designed for wear, which had a more stream
lined, slightly different design wing and slightly larger then the first type, the skull and swords logo
was retained. The second type wing was made from stamped brass, some manufactures
employed a gilt finish to the EM basic paratrooper badge. Although their are several different
finishes employed with this brass metal basic EM paratrooper badge they were issued for enlisted
personnel only and are not for NCOs or officers.
In 1940 a First Class Parachutist Badge was authorized for wear by parachutists who
had completed at least 25 first class (perfect) jumps. This badge depicts a large, bronze
parachute rising above a skull and crossed daggers, surrounded by an ornate wreath of dark-