SM1154

OK - my query was answered under a separate channel by Mike Walton. Here is a cut & paste of his reply: Thank Seton for the Tenderfoot rank; it was a gentle nod to his Sons of the Pioneers program. The Second and First Class Scout is more of a reference to the ability level than to military ranks. Star and Life (actually, the rank order originally was Life and then Star Scout; it stayed that way until the middle 40s in which the BSA reversed the names) represented the additional accomphisment. The heart shaped badge of the Life Badge came from the personal fitness and charact

I am trying to incorporate some more Scouting History into our Courts of Honor. One of things I'd love to do is mention how the BSA ranks got their names - what is the history and thinking behind them. Most are obvious (Tenderfoot, 2nd, 1st Class & Eagle), but where did "Star" and "Life" come into it?