Cap Badge, "Mail Cadet," Engineering

ca. 1930s. If a ship were under contact to carry "mails" for the United States Government, the vessel was required to carry two cadets: one in the Deck Department, and another in the Engineering Department. Due to the connection with mail, the cadets came to be called "Mail Cadets."

This cap badge was worn by such a cadet. I am unsure if Deck and Engineering cadets wore different cap badges.  A lapel medallion or dog from the 1940s is shown for comparative purposes.

I have the orientation of the badge with one blade pointing upward.  A photograph of a mail cadet shows two pointing upward; however, lapel medallions from the 1940s only have one blade pointing upward.