The Parachutist Badge is a military badge awarded by the Armed Forces of most countries in the world to soldiers who receive the proper parachute training and accomplish the required number of jumps. It is difficult to assess which country was the first to introduce such award. During World War II most belligerent countries used such badges or awards.

Germany

In the Nazi German army the Parachutist Badge (Fallschirmschutzenabzeichen) was first established by order of Hermann Göring on November 5, 1936. It was first awarded to all soldiers of the Luftwaffe who finished the parachute training and accomplished the required number of jumps. The award was made of silver and depicted a diving eagle holding a swastika in the claws and surrounded by a silver wreath. It was worn on the left breast, above the pocket. On September 1, 1937, General Werner von Fritsch introduced similar badge for all the Wehrmacht soldiers who also met the requirements.

Poland

The Polish Odznaka Spadochronowa was based on the previous award called the Odznaka Pilota Wojskowego, or Military Pilot Badge. It was first introduced by notable Polish sculptor Władysław Gruberski in 1919 and was accepted shortly afterwards as the sign of all the pilots of the Polish Air Forces. The badge featured an eagle with wide spread wings, holding a laurel wreath in his bill.

In 1941, after the creation of the 1st Independent Parachute Brigade, a similar symbol was adopted as the sign of all Polish paras. It featured a diving silver eagle with a wreath in his claws. The symbol was also adopted by the cichociemni and nowadays is used by all branches of the Polish Army. Also, the Polish special unit GROM adopted a modified version of the symbol as its emblem. It is commonly (though informally) referred to as gapa (crow).

USA

The United States Parachutist Badge (also commonly referred to as "Jump Wings") is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces which is awarded to members of the United States Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. The U.S. Coast Guard is the only service which does not issue a Parachutist Badge, however Coast Guard members are entitled to receive the Parachutist Badge of another service, if the proper training was received.