American Legion “Chief Observer” badge

American Legion “Chief Observer” badge, silver and enamel, pinback (70mm). Unmarked.

In World War II, the Air Warning System set up observation posts along the East Coast manned by civilian volunteers who were trained to identify enemy airplanes. The observers were ordered to report by telephone all planes they spotted to the Army Filter Center. Many observation posts were located at American Legion Posts. Each post was to have a chief observer, two assistant chief observers, and as many observers as necessary for 24-hour operations.