Since there are no public records on the history of the No. 1 badge tradition, it’s not clear when it started. In David Owen’s 1999 book, ...

Pvt. Brian Schoen received Toledo Fire & Rescue Department's prestigious badge No. 1 on Wednesday, acknowledging his seniority with over 32 years of service.

There is at least one player – six-time champion Jack Nicklaus – who turned down the No. 1 badge. According to the Masters’ website, in 1966, he refused the No. 1 pin.