Insignia/shoulder patches

[DocCasualty]

I've got a question that I frankly don't know how to go about answering. Decided I would throw it out here to see if anyone knows the answer or could point me in a direction.

My father served in a Field Artillery Bn that was not part of the organic compositon of a division, corps, etc. It was part of the Third Army and I have found most if not all of whom they were attached to in various campaigns. As the Bn shifted from group to group, what patch would they have worn on the left shoulder? The only picturese I have right now show only his right shoulder and the Third Army insignia. Would there have been some form of FA patch that remained unchanged or would they have been constantly changing this to reflect their attachment?

I do seem to recall a patch on his Eisenhower jacket but this unfortunately is lost to time. I'm sure it would have reflected his final posting in the A of O and not sure that would help me much anyway. Any thoughts?

[gi-rene]

Hmm.. The Army has always had two methods of unit identification in the modern times.

The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) is what were speaking of. But you must also take into account the Distinctive Unit Insignia (DUI or better DI).

The SSI Patch usually covers a Division, Corps, Army, Air Force or independent Regiment/Battalion (Like the 100th Battalion/442 although their patches were all unofficial and didn't show up until late in WW2, but IIRC there were other small autonomous units that had their own patches too).

Say the unit I reenact the 133rd Regiment of the 34th Infantry Division.

We wear the 34th ID's patch on our left shoulder (left is current unit, right is units you have been to a combat deployment with)



And on our overseas cap and Class A Coat we were the the 133rd Regiment's DI:



So for sure your father's arty battalion has a DI as well, if you know the number you can probably dig up what it looks like. Now as for a patch thats tough. The 442 was attached to the Army in the areas they operated. But normally they would be directed to be attached to a division and would adopt the division's patch (like the 34th's) or the next higher command they responded too (Corps or Army patches, you normally see these on units that are organic to the Army or Corps and attached to a division). I know that FA probably would do things different. But you are certainly right, they would wear the Third Army patch on the right. But as for something else I would guess either they wore the division patch that they were attached to, or possibly nothing at all.

[DocCasualty]

I appreciate your response, gi-rene. He was with the 949th FA Bn and I haven't been able to locate a DUI or other insignia yet. He started with the 182nd FA Rgmt,which has this one and I actually have his badge. The 182nd was broken up in 1943, with the 949th being one of its offspring in the reorganization. I just have no idea how these "upstart" units in WWII were handled in this regard, as they didn't have the history before or after WWII, like the 182nd.

I am awaiting the Unit history from NARA and there may be graphics of unit insignia contained there. I'm just not sure how a unit that shifted around as much as this one did would wear insignia, other than the Third Army patch. I'll keep digging, but I sure appreciate your thoughts.

[gi-rene]

You could direct your question the Army's Institute of Heraldry. I was asking them to just see samples of WWII era guidons so our unit could copy the design... but lo and behold, they are still exactly the same... just different materials (nylon these days).

[DocCasualty]

That's a great idea. I'll see what I can find out from them.

[DocCasualty]

I did contact the Army Institue of Heraldry and they were very prompt in their response. They informed me that they do not keep files on inactive units but suggested the USA Center of Military History. I cruised around their site and related links and the FAQs all seem to point to NARA. So at this point, I think I'll wait for the Unit History copies and see what light that might shed. If that isn't helpful, then I'll try querying CMH.

Interestingly, IOH also suggested contacting the American Society of Military Insignia Collectors. I did check out their website and it mostly appears to be for members only. Their links hook-up to eBay, where several books are available. I did run across a couple of books on FA insignia and may have to purchase a couple to see if they contain what I'm looking for.

[gi-rene]

Interesting. I had a similar response from the AIH though they directed me to their more active branch or something similar. Glad to know you're on the track though.