Very RARE Original Expert Infantryman Badge EIB Airborne made by J. Balme France For Sale

Very RARE Original Expert Infantryman Badge EIB Airborne made by J. Balme France
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Very RARE Original Expert Infantryman Badge EIB Airborne made by J. Balme France:
$99.00


OK! Here it is.

A number of you have asked me if I could find a BALME made Expert Infantryman Badge or EIB. After years of searching and at considerable cost, I have found a few to list. Absolute Highest Quality!
This is an original Rare full size Expert Infantryman Badge or EIB made by J. BALME
This is the very rare Balme version of the EIB or US Army Expert Infantryman Badge. The Expert Infantryman Badge, or EIB, is a military badge of the United States Army. It is the non-combat equivalent to the Combat Infantryman Badge. The primary difference between the decorations is the Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is awarded for participation in Infantry ground combat against a hostile enemy force, while the Expert Infantryman Badge is presented for successful completion of an approved Army course of rigorous testing of infantry skills and endurance. The EIB and CIB were first authorized during World War II (1943- see below) and continue to this day as one of the most prestigious awards a soldier can earn. The CIB signifies that an INFANTRYMAN or Special Forces Soldier has been in actual combat against a hostile enemy force. The EIB or CIB is worn above all other badges and ribbons on the Army uniform. This one is hallmarked J. Balme FRANCE.

This EIB is a very rare French made Balme badge that was made back in the 1980's.

They are no longer made or even available in most cases. Balme made some absolutely exquisite military badges, wings and insignia to include US Army Parachute Jump Wings, Combat and Expert Infantryman Badges, Air Assault Wings and USAF Flight Wings. This is a two piece badge with the decorated 1795 musket applied as a separate piece. It comes with the original Balme packaging as shown.

In 1943 Army Chief of Staff, George C. Marshall initiated the development of an award to honor the U.S. Army Infantryman. The Office of Heraldic Activity of the Quartermaster General began work on designing a badge that would represent the U.S. Infantry's tough, hard hitting role in combat and symbolize proficiency in the Infantry skills.

The CIB and EIB are only awarded to U.S. Army personnel who hold Infantry or Special Forces military occupational specialties (MOS). To be awarded the EIB, the service member must complete a testing phase which is the culmination of weeks of training, leading to a final evaluation period. The EIB test is administered on the average once per year with pass rates usually averaging less than 10 percent, depending on the unit conducting testing. The CIB as stated above is awarded for actually being in combat against a hostile force.

Personnel who have been awarded both the EIB and the CIB are not authorized to wear both decorations simultaneously. In such cases, the CIB has precedence according to Army Regulation 670-1.

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See Photos. A nice addition to any elite insignia collection. See my other listings for more parachute wings and elite unit memorabilia. Winning Buyer pays $5.00 postage and handling. Insurance, if desired, is extra. Email me if you have any questions. Payment in U.S. Dollars by PayPal (PREFERRED for immediate shipment).AIRBORNE!


With the recent huge increase in U.S. postal rates and requirement for delivery confirmation tracking, we have had to increase the shipping costs for both domestic and overseas mailings.
Additionally the cost of International mail has more than doubled so we may soon have to cease mailing items outside the U.S.
Thank you for understanding.
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