was tasked to
establish the Quartermaster Office of Identification in the Philippines,
recommended inclusion of an "identity disc" in the combat field
kit as the answer to the need for standard identification. The Army
Regulations of 1913 made identification tags mandatory, and by 1917, all
combat soldiers wore aluminum discs on chains around their necks. By World
War II, the circular disc was replaced by the oblong shape familiar to us
today, generally referred to as "dog tags."

Since then, some myths have arisen in connection with
the purpose of the identification tags. One of the more common myths
involves the reason for the notch on the tag issued between 1941 and the
early 1970's. Battlefield rumor held that the notched end of the tag was
placed between the front teeth of battlefield casualties to hold the jaws
in place. Noofficial record of American soldiers being issued these
instructions exists; the only purpose of "the notch" was to hold
the blank tag in place on the embossing machine. The machine used at this
time doesn't require a notch to hold he blank in place, hence, today's
tags are smooth on all sides.

Thee sole purpose of the dog tag is stated by its
designation. Dog tags found around the neck of a casualty, and only those
tags found around the neck, stay with the remains at all times tags found
any place besides around the neck are made note of in the Record of
Personal Effects of Deceased Personnel, and placed in an effects bag.
They are not removed unless there is a need to temporarily inter the
remains. If there is only one tag present, another is made