Why oak leaves,

[major bill]

Majors and Lieutenant Colonels and Thierry equivalents in the Navy wear oak leaves for rank. Why an oak leaf? A maple leaf or elm leaf would seem like just as good of a rank insignia.

 

[LoriAnn]

Perhaps the Oak tree is the one most associated with strength and perseverance?

 

[DR_Hanna]

From this site:
http://www.madetomeasuremag.com/the-oak-leaf-and-the-acorn-a-look-at-coast-guard-dress-caps

Cindee Herrick of the Coast Guard Museum explains that oak leaves are a symbol of authority dating back to Roman times and earlier. Roman emperors and senators were crowned with wreaths of oak leaves. The oak is an ancient fertility symbol of the male principal. For the Romans, it was a symbol of service to the state. In some cultures, the oak tree is holy. It has taken on civic authority in some cultures where marriages and trials were performed under an oak tree.

 

[civilwarincolor]

Great question. According to this page the Oak Leaf in US rank has been around since 1835. As @DR_Hanna pointed out there is some historical reference to Rome, but I have not seen anything on the official level if that was a factor when the symbol was chosen in 1835.

 

[Billy Yank]

Oak Leaf Cluster(s) are also affixed to certain ribbons.

 

[Mike Serpa]

It looks like different varieties of oak leaves were used?

 

[major bill]

Civil War Union Navy Engineers wore crossed oak leaf insignia. They kind of look like chaplain. Note Navy chaplains wore crosses that tipped to one side.

 

[civilwarincolor]

Civil War Union Navy Engineers wore crossed oak leaf insignia. They kind of look like chaplain. Note Navy chaplains wore crosses that tipped to one side.

Major Bill - I know that much of what I have below is not news to you. I am just adding it for clarity and detail for others.

Lots of odd shoulder boards. Here is a variety of them. BTW, it has each one labeled from a-z, but I could not find a legend, sorry.

As for Chaplain's it could be a cross tipped to one side, but it could also be a staff (Jewish) as shown below:

If you look at this insignia chart for the modern US Navy you see some of the confusion carries forward to today. If you look at the corps devices for medical, supply, dental and possibly civil engineer the can be confused for oak leaves at times. While on shoulder boards or sleeves (with officer stripes) you would see these symbols replace the star (line officer in the corps devices) it is much more difficult in working uniforms as the standard officer rank is worn on one collar and the other collar is the corps emblem. It can be a bit confusing to see someone from the side that is wearing a supply, medical or dental insignia and think that they are a Lt. Commander (Major equivalent) and then to find out that they are actually an Ensign (2nd Lt equivalent) or Captain (Colonel equivalent).

 

[redbob]

View attachment 112143 Oak Leaf Cluster(s) are also affixed to certain ribbons.

In lieu of being awarded additional citations for the same decoration (same medal, different actions) oak leaf clusters are awarded instead.

 

[Legion Para]

In lieu of being awarded additional citations for the same decoration (same medal, different actions) oak leaf clusters are awarded instead.

 

[Copperhead-mi]

Warning!! R - rated explanation from Quora.com.

The young second lieutenant approached the crusty old first sergeant and asked him about the origin of the commissioned officer insignias.

"Well, LT, it's history and tradition. First, we give you a gold bar representing that you're valuable BUT malleable. The silver bar of a first lieutenant represents value, but less malleable. When you make captain, you're twice as valuable so we give you two silver bars.

"As a colonel, you soar over military masses, hence the eagle. As a general, you're obviously a star. That answer your question, LT?"

"Yeah, but what about major and lieutenant colonel?"

"Now, son, that goes waaaaaay back in history. Back to the Garden of Eden even. You see, we've always covered our d**ks with leaves . . ."

 

[MaryDee]

I have read some info about Roman military decorations. For some reason, they preferred natural materials for their highest awards; gold crowns were well down the list. Here are the two highest awards, per the wikipedia article, "Roman Military Decorations and Punishments" (which confirms what I read previously):

"Grass crown - (Latin: corona obsidionalis or corona graminea), was the highest and rarest of all military decorations. It was presented only to a general, commander, or officer whose actions saved the legion or the entire army.

"Civic crown - (Latin: corona civica), was a chaplet of common oak leaves woven to form a crown. During the Roman Republic, and the subsequent Principate, it was regarded as the second highest military decoration a citizen could aspire to (the Grass Crown being held in higher regard)."

Julius Caesar supposedly won a civic crown when in his 20s while serving in Asia Minor. Under the rules promulgated by the dictator Sulla, it gave him instant membership in the Roman Senate (normally not allowed until age 30) and required all the senators to stand and applaud him when he appeared. I'm sure this really grated on his political enemies, of which he had plenty!

I suspect that this prestigious Roman award had something to do with the 19th century adoption of oak leaves as a symbol of rank.

 

[major bill]

Civil War era rank