Learn About The Storied History Of The Battlefield Cross, Courtesy Of Grunt Style

Grunt Style

We’ve all seen the image on the news: a helmet resting on the butt of a rifle in a war zone. What does this tradition mean and represent to military veterans? Grunt Style dives into the history of “The Battlefield Cross” as part of their American Grit series.

The Battlefield Cross traces its roots back to the Civil War, as soldiers would plant rifles with bayonets into the ground as temporary markers for graves for their fallen comrades. The tradition continued through both World Wars and the Korean War and can still be seen to this day in the Global War on Terrorism.

In the modern era, the Battlefield Cross typically consists of four components:

A rifle with a fixed bayonet
A pair of boots
A helmet on the butt of the rifle
The dog tags of the fallen soldier

This tradition has been adopted by military forces around the world to honor fallen comrades in war zones or in proximity to battlefields when a full funeral is not feasible.

Check out more great American Grit content here. While you’re there, be sure to pick up some military-inspired gear from Grunt Style, as well as our BroBible favorites (use code BROBIBLE20 for 20% off your order).