Parachutist Badge (Hungary)

Parachutist Badge
	Awarded by Hungary
Type	Military Badge
Eligibility	Soldiers of Hungarian Defence Forces and Allied nations
Awarded for	Military Parachutist Proficiency
Status	Currently awarded
Description	Comes in several versions

The Hungarian Defence Forces awards four classes Parachutist Badges to those qualified as military parachutists. The latest version is awarded since 1990.

History

1940–1945

The first official Parachutist Badges were introduced into the Royal Hungarian Army on February 14. 1940. A domed parachute opened with two wings at each side, and in the middle a skull, and underneath two crossed fighting knives. Two classes were awarded. A gold sawn on a green cloth for officers, and silver sawn on a green cloth for NCO's and conscripted soldiers. The badges were worn above the wright pocketflaps. Their parameters were: 80x36 mm, and the parachute 25 mm's wide. There were also metal badges introduced during the war for combat uniforms. Because if a Hungarian paratrooper was captured by Soviet troops they were shot immediately. The famous Royal Hungarian 1st Parachute Battalion, later regiment was formed as the Kingdom of Hungary's primary airborne force. Its first commanding officer was Major vitéz Árpád Bertalan. After his death Captain István Ugron was his successor.[1]

Royal Hungarian Army Parachutist Badge bronze version	Royal Hungarian Army Parachutist Badge oxidized version	Royal Hungarian Army Parachutist Skill Badge

1945–1989

After Hungary was defeated during World War II a new democratic army was created with new symbols. A new parachutist badge was also created. The coat of arms of Hungary replaced the skull and crossed knives. After the sovietification of Hungary again new badges were introduced. They were a soviet style badges with red stars and symbols.

Hungarian Democratic Army Parachutist Badge	Hungarian People's Army Gold Laurel 1st Class Parachutist Badge

After 1990

After the Soviet Army left Hungary the Hungarian Defence Forces were created. The new army took on traditions of the Royal Hungarian Army. New parachutist ratings and badges were created. Gold sawn for officers, silver sawn to underofficers and NCO's, brown for conscripted and contracted soldiers. The ratings are worn on the left side of the uniform above the ribbonbar.