This study examines the military uniform shown in a historical photo of the launching ceremony of the Korean Volunteer Corps (KVC). It explores the shape, material, color, and insignia of the KVC’s military uniform based on the photo and historical ...
This study examines the military uniform shown in a historical photo of the launching ceremony of the Korean Volunteer Corps (KVC). It explores the shape, material, color, and insignia of the KVC’s military uniform based on the photo and historical documents. It is expected to uncover part of the history of Korean military uniforms as well as help reproduce the KVC uniform and verify the authenticity of relevant artifacts. The KVC members are wearing a field cap, a Mao suit-styled jacket, and straight pants in the photo. They also a straight belt or a Sam Browne belt and leather shoes, which complies with the Uniforms Act of the Army of the Chinese Nationalist government. The fabric of their military uniform is cotton or wool, and the color is likely bluish gray, although it may be greenish yellow. Various types of insignia are attached to their military uniform. The badge on their cap is a circle, possibly including the blue sky with a white sun symbol used by the Chinese Nationalist Government Army or the corps’ own design. The members of the KVC, as illustrated in the photo, appear to be wearing a name tag that contains the member’s name and assigned job along with the corps’ symbol and name written in English, Korean, and Chinese, also functioning as a distinctive insignia. They also wear an insignia indicating the member’s affiliation with the corps on the chest, which, together with the cap badge and name tag, must have reinforced their identity as members and commitment to national independence.