Ranger Wolfrum "Bill" Joffee is the first Yosemite ranger to come from among the war veterans discharged from the armed forces after being hospitalized at the U.S. Naval Convalescent Hospital in Yosemite National Park, Calif., c.1945. Joffee is wearing his military ribbons on his uniform. NPSHPC-Ralph H. Anderson photo-HFC#91-7

After World War II, returning uniformed Park Service employees were allowed to wear their military uniforms on duty, along with any decorations, for 60 days. After which time, they had to don their Park Service uniform but were still authorized to wear "any ribbons to which they are entitled for service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard." [78] Apparently this allowance was loosely interpreted, because photographs show rangers wearing military medals and decorations, as well as ribbons. This practice continued until rescinded in the 1961 uniform regulations.

The 1956 uniform regulations authorized those employees who had received Departmental Awards either for "distinguished service" or "meritorious service" to wear the appropriate lapel emblem as part of the official uniform. The Department length-of-service emblem (USDI) was also authorized to be worn. The 1961 regulations state that these emblems are to be worn in the left lapel buttonhole, but the sketch that accompanies it shows the length-of-service pin above the button on the right top pocket flap. Apparently the pin placement was changed prior to the regulations being issued and the sketch overlooked.

The 1961 uniform regulations also authorized the wearing of temporary buttons: "At the discretion of the superintendent, temporary fund drive buttons for charities and public benefits recognized by the National Park Service may be worn on the uniform on the left lapel on jackets or on the flap of the left pocket on shirts."

Although the 1961 regulations were the first to address the issue, pins and tags had adorned the uniform from the early years. The most notable occasion was the American Bicentennial and its myriad symbols. But there were many others. The Centennial of the National Park System saw a stylized geyser emblem, in the form of a pin, receive much wear. There were also several environmental programs under way at the time with their own symbols.

This practice is continued today with pins tor special occasions such as the Service's 75th anniversary in 1991 still periodically authorized. There are too many of these pins to be treated in detail here, but the following small assortment is representative of this type of decoration.

The early 1970's seem to have been the "Hey-Day" of wearing the round tin button-pin on the uniform. This is a small sampling of pins worn on Park Service uniforms. NPSHC A. 1972-National Parks Centennial pin B. 1976-American Bicentennial lapel pin C. 1974-Urban Youth Program, Richmond National Battlefield D. 1972-Environman pin (environmental program) E. 1973-Year Of The Bike pin F. 1973-Flag pin authorized by Director Ron Walker G. 1991-75th Anniversary pin