Tom belonged to the Sigma Nu Fraternity at Northwestern University.

Fraternity pins were used to identify members of the fraternity to others. Pins were typically dime-sized and were worn in public. They were sometimes stolen, as a prank, and guarding them was a precaution. Small pledge pins were given to “Pledges”, those who were attempting to join the fraternity. Upon full membership, they were given larger pins, which were often similar but not identical in appearance.

“Pinning” was the voluntary giving of a fraternity pin to a close female friend, and indicated that the two, although not formally engaged, were seeing each other exclusively. It was often undertaken prior to a formal engagement.

This Sigma Nu pin, while not belonging to Tom, is representative of vintage pins from the time.

In August, 1943, Tom asked his sister, Elaine, to retrieve his fraternity pin and send it to Zoe Foran, indicating that they were “pinned”.