U.S. Army Rank Structure During WWII
Tec 5 insignia
Tec 4 insignia
Tec 3 insignia
We have had a few questions about the ranks of the enlisted men of the 111th. On January 8, 1942, the Army established ranks of Technician Third Grade (Tec 3), Technician Fourth Grade (Tec 4) and Technician Fifth Grade (Tec 5). A “T” was added to the chevrons that the men wore on their sleeves. The ranks denoted personnel with technical skills, as opposed to combat skills such as infantrymen or artillery men. The numerical designation was in inverse order to the rank. For example, a Tec 3 outranked a Tec 4. A Tec 3 equates today to a Staff Sergeant, a Tec 4 equates to a Sergeant, and a Tec 5 equates to a Corporal. Below Tec 5 was a PFC (private first class) and then PVT (private), same as today.
The technician ranks were removed from the rank system in 1948. The concept was brought back with the Specialist ranks in 1955, and those ranks continue today.
WWII Tracings 
Did the 111th ever have their own patch or insignia (official or unofficial) while attached to the different divisions during the war?
Great site. Cheers for posting
I just recently saw a tombstone of a Tech 5 that read, IF I CAN’T FIX IT ,IT AIN’T BROKE
My dad was a Tech 5 in the segregated 8th Air Force.
My Dad served in WWII as a Tec 5 I would Love to ware this on my sleeve in has Honor
My grandfather was a Tech 5 in WWII. This is so fascinating to learn about this.
Thanks for your comment!
Did 1st Ranger Bat have Tech 5s? I am running down my great uncles service in WW2 and I found a site with his name and enlistment by his home town putting him as a Darby’s Ranger but his obit says he was a Tech 5 construction machine operator and was awarded 4 bronze stars. The other line would explain the bronze stars and he never really talked about W2 much I am told. He was very much off my mother tells me and his family thought he had mental illness but was able to function still which sounds to me like PTSD from what he saw in combat and as a POW.
We are not sure. Ed will check Fold3 this week and get back to you. He says that the Tech ranks were for technicians, which makes sense, but that the Rangers were a combat unit and more likely to be sergeants, etc. We will try to find out.
What were the technician ranks called in the field? It seems clunky to say “Hey, go grab Technician 5th Grade Johnson and keep watch on that crossroads.” I’m working on some WWII-related fiction so I want to make sure I get the verbiage right. Thanks in advance!
Good question! Unfortunately, our five survivors have all passed away, so we can’t ask them. However, a search of 111th memoirs and company history reports gives us good clues. In reports or other written correspondence, it looks like a Tec 5 was called “Tec 5 Johnson.” But in the field, the more likely form of address was something like, “Hey, Johnson, get over here!” The men all seemed to have nicknames as well, so that would also be a possibility among closer colleagues, as in “Hey, Pinky, get over here!” Hope that helps. Good luck with your writing.
Len T
My Step Father was a Tec 5. Landed on UTAH on 6-6 up the Hedge rows on to march in Paris. Then on to Hurtgen Forest an entered Germany through the Siegfried Line. It is only by the Grace of God that he ever made it back. If you need more info read the Panzer Killers, by Daniel P Bolger. This book is just out.
Wow, he was indeed incredibly lucky! Will look for the book you mention. Thanks..
It appears these ranks have been inverted. This site needs review and corrected.
We just confirmed that our explanation for enlisted ranks during WWII is correct as written. The confusion may lie in the fact that in today’s Army, a Spec 5 is a higher rank than a Spec 4.
Maybe it’s just me, but the Tech insignias look reversed from what they should be. But then again, it IS the army.
This comment has come up before. This is our reply: We just confirmed that our explanation for enlisted ranks during WWII is correct as written. The confusion may lie in the fact that in today’s Army, a Spec 5 is a higher rank than a Spec 4.
Thanks for your interest!
Thank you for your clarification.
How sad. almost all the Tec’s have moved on to a Greater Glory