The use of two imprinted metal identification discs was first introduced in large quantities during World War I as a means to identify dead and incapacitated soldiers on the battlefield. Prior to the use of metal tags, soldiers wrote their names and hometowns on pieces of cloth or paper. This method was unreliable, as cloth and paper could be rendered unreadable by weather or blood stains.

These discs were worn by Joseph W. Tucker, Jr. (1898-1972) of Jackson, Mississippi. Tucker served with the 141st Field Artillery and was discharged from Camp Shelby on May 2, 1919.