The Distinguished Unit Badge, known as the Distinguished Unit Citation during World War II, was awarded to units of the U.S. Armed Forces for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. This badge recognized collective bravery and outstanding performance in combat, emphasizing the contributions of entire units rather than individual soldiers. The badge was later renamed the Presidential Unit Citation and continues to be awarded today.
The Distinguished Unit Badge was something new for World War Two. It was awarded to all members of the unit, when that unit had performed to such a high standard that if it were a single soldier, the soldier would be entitled to the Distinguished Service Cross. This is a high standard indeed. The only award higher than a Distinguished Service Cross is the Medal of Honor. The badge itself was a plain dark blue enameled rectangle of metal. It was worn over the right pocket on the chest - the opposite side from where all other badges and ribbons ("fruit salad") was worn. "go 36 hq wd 44" means General Order Number 36 of the Headquarters, War Department, 1944. This was the order from the War Department which recognized the particular unit in question and awarded the badge. During WWII there was still a War Department and a Navy Department; the two were not combined into the Department of Defense until 1947. Today the Distinguished Unit Badge has been replaced by the Presidential Unit Citation.
About $200-500$ depending on condition
1. Is it a metal badge, or a cloth badge based upon a metal one? 2. Is it a badge or shoulder patch, or unit crest (battalion crest)? 3. Is it a collar insignia? During the Vietnam War, for the US Army, "wings" signified aviation; "crossed rifles" indicated infantry; a "lightning bolt" and a "small shield" hints at being a battalion crest (unit crest). Combined altogether indicates either an "in-country home made" badge (was was extremely common) or possibly an ARP (Aerial Rifle Platoon) platoon badge. ARPs were an authorized unit...but they may have existed only in Vietnam. ARPs and LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol) seem to be the only Vietnam War outfits that have disappeared; the Green Beret (SF), SEALS, Rangers, Recon, and Snipers still exist.
The American who distinguished himself by successfully waging a war with Tripoli was Thomas Jefferson. The command of the US Navy was under Edward Preble.
101st airborne
The Distinguished Unit Badge was something new for World War Two. It was awarded to all members of the unit, when that unit had performed to such a high standard that if it were a single soldier, the soldier would be entitled to the Distinguished Service Cross. This is a high standard indeed. The only award higher than a Distinguished Service Cross is the Medal of Honor. The badge itself was a plain dark blue enameled rectangle of metal. It was worn over the right pocket on the chest - the opposite side from where all other badges and ribbons ("fruit salad") was worn. "go 36 hq wd 44" means General Order Number 36 of the Headquarters, War Department, 1944. This was the order from the War Department which recognized the particular unit in question and awarded the badge. During WWII there was still a War Department and a Navy Department; the two were not combined into the Department of Defense until 1947. Today the Distinguished Unit Badge has been replaced by the Presidential Unit Citation.
Tuskegee Airmen .
If the badge you have is the same as the one here, wargamming.com then it is an Expert Rifleman Badge. It was obsolete by World War Two, but many who won it previously still wore it during the war.
$5 see ebay
John Glenn was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses for his military service as a pilot during World War II and the Korean War.
Minesweeper War Badge was created on 1940-08-31.
Destroyer War Badge was created on 1940-06-04.
About $200-500$ depending on condition
$10 try ebay
U-boat War Badge was created on 1918-02-01.
Naval Artillery War Badge was created on 1941-06-24.
it means you've been promoted to a higher rank