100 Years of the Eagle Scout Award

Terry Grove’s book, 100 Years of the Eagle Scout Award, is accurately titled. In addition to detailing the history of the Eagle Scout medal, it traces the history of the pocket patch, the pocket and wall certificates, and other Eagle-related items. Readers learn that the pocket patch first appeared when American Scouts headed to the 1924 World Scout Jamboree and that, instead of knots, adult Eagle Scouts once wore ribbon bars that resembled the ribbon bars on military uniforms. The book also traces the history of the Eagle Scout rank itself, beginning with its earliest conception (in the 1910 provisional Scout handbook) as the Silver Wolf. A two-page table details all the merit badges that have been required for the rank over the years.