What's with that patch?

[ScreaminChief]

I'm going to post some Army unit patches and the history behind them. It will take a little while to get them all up so if anyone is curious about one that I haven't posted yet, you can make a request and I'll put that one up next.

I'll start with this one:
Worn from: 19 August 1955 - Current.
The arrowhead alludes to the American Indian's basic skills that special forces personnel are trained in to a high degree. The dagger represents the unconventional nature of Special Forces operations, and the three lightning flashes reflects their ability to strike rapidly by air, water, or land. As the Special Forces began arriving in Vietnam in greater numbers, the design of the patch gave rise to the nickname Saigon Electrical Works, which further enhanced the already legendary mystique of this group. The Special Forces concept actually grew out of the belief that these special troops could be used after World War II to train insurgent groups inside the Eastern Block; out of this concept came the Green Berets.

[RFleischman]

cool post, good info. I am excited for more history. Hopefully i will be wearing that patch soon!

[ScreaminChief]

Ok, here's the next one:

The 82nd Infantry Division was formed August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia and fought in World War I. Since members of the Division came from all 48 states, the unit was given the nickname "All-Americans," hence its famed "AA" shoulder patch. With the outbreak of World War II, the 82nd was reactivated on March 25, 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana under the command of Major General Omar N. Bradley. On August 15, 1942, the 82nd Infantry Division became the 82nd Airborne Division, the first airborne division in the U.S. Army. On January 3, 1946, following the end of WW II, The 82nd Airborne made it's permanent home at Ft Bragg North Carolina.

[RR691983]

I'll Help



Description: On a blue powder keg-like background, with a white border, two bayonets in saltire throughout scarlet fimbriated white.
Symbolism: The blue background and the bayonets are symbolic of infantry while the position of the bayonets in saltire simulates the numerical designation of the organization.



Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description: A gold color metal and enamel device consisting of a white mountain formed of five peaks above a blue wavy bar and crosses in front overall two red swords point up; behind the mountain peaks a glory of gold rays radiant from center and enclosed by a gold scroll inscribed "CLIMB TO GLORY" in blue letters.
Symbolism: The white mountain symbol and the blue wave represent the Division’s World War II combat history in the Northern Apennines and Po Valley Campaigns in Italy. The crossed swords are symbolic of wartime service and further suggest the Roman numeral X, the unit’s numerical designation. Scarlet is symbolic of courage and mortal danger, blue denotes steadfastness and loyalty. The gold is for excellence and the white is symbolic of mountain tops and of high aspirations.

[66MP1]

The shoulder sleave insignia was authorized on 1 Jun 1966, consisting of a a shield with a yellow border a green field bearing the yellow silhouette of a Roman fasces charged with a green sword point up. Green and yellow are the colors of the Military Police Corps. The fasces, an ancient symbol of the magistrate’s authority, and the sword for the military are combined to symbolize military law and order.

[ScreaminChief]

During late 1943, the Division's shoulder patch, a lightning bolt superimposed on a taro leaf, was formally adopted. The taro leaf shape of the shoulder patch reflects the birth of the 25th from elements of the famous Hawaiian Division and is suggestive of the Pacific region where the Division was established, and where it had fought. The bolt of lightning symbolizes speed and aggressive spirit – a trait the Division proved in its battles for the Pacific. The colors of red and gold were those of the late Hawaiian monarchy.

[ScreaminChief]

Here's one that is not what most people say it is. "The horse they never rode and the bridge they never crossed" is wrong.


Gladys Fitch “Mother” Dorsey, wife of the commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, designed the new division’s patch to reflect the cavalry heritage. On a Norman shield, in gold, the color of cavalry, is a diagonal stripe symbolizing a medieval scaling ladder and the “baldric” from which the sword was hung. A horses head, symbolizing the heart of cavalry, completed the design. It is the largest of Army division patches-a big patch worn by big soldiers who do big things.

[66MP1]

6th Army

Worn from: 10 January 1945 - 1957.
The Sixth United States Army was activated in January 1943 at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Among other heroic feats, it is credited with the liberation of Manila at a cost of over thirty- seven thousand casualties. The six-pointed star refers to the number six, and the red letter "A" signifies army.

Campaigns: World War II (New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Leyte, Luzon).

Decorations: Meritorious Unit Commendation (streamer embroidered Pacific Theater), Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered 17 October 1944 to July 1945.

41st infantry brigade is atached to 7th Infantry division

[ScreaminChief]

This is my old unit patch from when I was in the Reserves.


The Greek cross, a symbol of aid and assistance, is used to represent the medical mission of the brigade. The crown, alluding to New York, the Empire State, was suggested by the Statue of Liberty in New York harbor. In numerology the number eight symbolizes regeneration and achievement. The octagon shape alludes to the numerical designation of the Brigade.
Constituted 30 June 1976 in the United States Army Reserve as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 8th Medical Brigade, was assigned to the First United States Army, and activated at the Fort Hamilton U.S. Army Reserve Center, Brooklyn, New York. Reorganized and redesignated 1 October 1976 as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 8th Medical Brigade. During much of its history, the 8th Medical Brigade was the largest of all the medical brigades, active and reserve, in the entire U.S. Army. It relocated February 2002 to Fort Wadsworth, New York.

[ScreaminChief]

This is the 98th Division, US Army Reserves. This is the unit my father retired from.

The colors orange and blue are those of the Dutch House of Nassau; the head of an Iroquois chief with five feathers, representing the five Indian nations, symbolizes New York state where the division was organized.

The 98th Division (Iroquois) has the unique right to claim two birthdays-July 23, 1918 and June 24, 1921. The first date is based on the division’s partial organization during the closing months of World War I. As combat on the Western Front remained static in early 1918, Army planner decided that the additional divisions might be needed to bolster Gen. "Black Jack" Pershing’s American Expeditionary Force. Thus, Headquarters, 98th Division, was "constituted" on July 23, 1918 at Fort McClellan, AL. The division was organized on paper, a Chief of Staff and regimental commanders were chosen, and in October, troop-fill commenced. But armistice between Germany and the Allies ended further action. The division was demobilized in November after four months of existence, never having been completely organized.

The 98th Division was formally established as a component of the Organized Reserve on June 24, 1921 and assigned to II Corps (A relationship which would last off and on for forty-six years). During the twenties and thirties, the 98th Division was organized as a square division with four line infantry regiments. The commands were located throughout New York.

anyone have the website i can visit to find my grandpa's patch. I believe it was the 32nd Inf Division.

[Frisbee]

SGTYOUNG.......I thought I already posted the link for you.Here it is again

http://www.usmedals.com/store.php3?i...s=1204WB470891

Click on the patches tab on the left and then Army WW II patches and go to page five

Bill