Combat Infantry Badge pen clip

[Paul Gilbert]

My Brother-in-law (a Viet Nam vet) was just buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full honors. This included a 21 gun salute. After the interment my wife was presented with the spent brass from the salute. I think that with a bit of ingenuity I can turn this brass into bullet pens using a slim line kit. I want to present these pens to his comrades who attended his committal. I want to use an Army Combat Infantry Badge as a pen clip. I found one at WoodPenPro, which will work, but the mounting hole will have to be drilled out to fit a slim line kit. This is doable, but just adds another step that I would like to skip.

WoodPenPro is the only source that I could find for the CIB clip. Does anyone know of another source for this clip?

Does anyone have a suggestion for another pen kit to use for this project?

 

[wolf creek knives]

Just my opinion, but as Vietnam Vet myself I would suggest not doing anything with the brass case. Personally, I'd have a plaque or some other mounting done with a picture attached of his platoon (assuming Army or Marine). If he has comrades still alive it would mean a lot to them as a gift or remembrance. A small brass engraved plate mounted on the plaque with his name, rank, date of service and military branch would mean a lot to those left, and again, this is just my opinion, but I think it would be very fitting. Others may have some nice options too.

 

[bmachin]

Not to get over-legalistic on this, but did your brother-in-law actually earn a CIB? If not, I would advise not using the clip. If he did earn it I congratulate him. In that case you should use it. CIB's are only awarded to soldiers with an Infantry MOS who have seen actual contact with the enemy (at least in theory).

 

[dogcatcher]

I am also a Vietnam veteran, I made bullet pens for my Company reunion 8 years ago. The guys loved them and even at the last reunion there were comments about how they liked the pens. I also made keyrings using military 5.56 brass.

 

[Paul Gilbert]

My brother-in-law earned three Bronze stars, one for valor and a purple heart with two clusters in Vietnam. He was a light infantry Lt. and spent nearly his whole year in the jungle or hospital. I intend to give the pens to the members of the association from the fire base from which they operated (I believe they call it hill 409) that attended his burial.