Today in World War II History—Sept. 22, 1942 POSTED: Friday, September 22, 2017 by Sarah Sundin US Army rank insignia for master sergeant, WWII 75 Years Ago—Sept. 22, 1942: Germans split Soviet army in Stalingrad, occupy southern half of city. US Army raises grade of first sergeant to that of master sergeant, adds third “rocker” to chevron.