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Started By
Message
WW2 Army Patch Experts... Assemble!
Posted on 12/30/16 at 2:53 pm
Posted on 12/30/16 at 2:53 pm
I need help identifying the WW2 Army patches pictured below.
Long story short, my mother passed away a couple months ago and she left me my grandfather's photo album from WW2. The first page has a few patches, and I'd like more information on what exactly they were for. My google skills are bringing back conflicting results. Thanks for any help you can provide!
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Long story short, my mother passed away a couple months ago and she left me my grandfather's photo album from WW2. The first page has a few patches, and I'd like more information on what exactly they were for. My google skills are bringing back conflicting results. Thanks for any help you can provide!
[/img]
5
Posted on 12/30/16 at 2:59 pm to AFtigerFan
The last patch (letter A) looks to be the 3rd Army (Patton).
Posted on 12/30/16 at 2:59 pm to AFtigerFan
One on the bottom is 3rd Army (now also known as ARCENT).
ETA: Damnit got beat!
ETA: Damnit got beat!
This post was edited on 12/30/16 at 3:00 pm
Posted on 12/30/16 at 2:59 pm to Centinel
Yep, first one is TRADOC
ETA: googled the 2nd one..World War Two United States Army Service Forces Uniform Shoulder Insignia – European Theatre of Operations - Army Communications Zone, Advanced Sector
ETA: googled the 2nd one..World War Two United States Army Service Forces Uniform Shoulder Insignia – European Theatre of Operations - Army Communications Zone, Advanced Sector
This post was edited on 12/30/16 at 3:03 pm
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:02 pm to AFtigerFan
The tricolor patch is the infantry replacement training corps (IRTC).
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:03 pm to Centinel
Damnit you frickers are fast 
This post was edited on 12/30/16 at 3:04 pm
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:04 pm to Breaux
quote:
Yep, first one is TRADOC
TRADOC came later I believe.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:05 pm to CajunTiger92
(for Centinel also)
Thanks for the quick reply! That's the only one that I could get concrete information on. I know my grandfather was in Germany during the war, but I never knew anything else about his service... aside from being told he was a mortar man. Even that information was 2nd hand.
quote:
The last patch (letter A) looks to be the 3rd Army (Patton).
Thanks for the quick reply! That's the only one that I could get concrete information on. I know my grandfather was in Germany during the war, but I never knew anything else about his service... aside from being told he was a mortar man. Even that information was 2nd hand.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:05 pm to AFtigerFan
Middle patch is ETO (European Theater of Operations) patch.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:06 pm to Breaux
(for TigersANDFrogs also)
Thanks! I was wondering what it would have been during WW2, but TigersANDFrogs answered that. Would this patch be worn by someone that actually trained others, or would it be worn by someone that went through the training?
Thanks for this one too!
quote:
Yep, first one is TRADOC
Thanks! I was wondering what it would have been during WW2, but TigersANDFrogs answered that. Would this patch be worn by someone that actually trained others, or would it be worn by someone that went through the training?
quote:
ETA: googled the 2nd one..World War Two United States Army Service Forces Uniform Shoulder Insignia – European Theatre of Operations - Army Communications Zone, Advanced Sector
Thanks for this one too!
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:08 pm to TIGERSandFROGS
Wouldn't know honestly, way before my time lol. Very familiar with the TRADOC one though. I googled, the patch seems to be for both. The difference Looks to be the orientation of it, vertical stripes for TRADOC.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:11 pm to AFtigerFan
TRADOC is training and doctrine command, so he would be a trainer. What was his job while in?
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:12 pm to AFtigerFan
Seems like your grandfather went through Infantry Replacement Training Center, then served in Patton's third army.
Here is a long description of the main patch in your picture from an old listing for one:
Here is a long description of the main patch in your picture from an old listing for one:
quote:
Vintage World War II official combined United States Army Service Forces shoulder sleeve patch worn by personnel of the Army Communications Zone, Advanced Sector for the European Theatre of Operations (ETO) from February 1944 through the end of the War.
This insignia has been examined and does not glow under ultraviolet light. It is made of natural fiber consistent with an authentic vintage insignia, and was most likely manufactured during World War II.
The European Theater of Operations, of the United States Army (ETOUSA) directed U.S. Army operations in Europe north of Italy and the Mediterranean coast from 1942 to 1945. The ETO was the area where continuous operations would take place and was divided into two chief areas - the combat zone (area of active fighting) and the Communications Zone (the rear part of theater of operations , behind but contiguous to the combat zone), which provides for the immediate support and maintenance of the field forces. In 1944, the Communications Zone, Advanced Sector was given the mission of providing support in the form of supplies, equipment, transportation and weapons for the invasion of Normandy. After the Normandy breakout the Advanced Sector provided support to the First and Third Armies from its Headquarters in Paris.
This is the official European Theater of Operations insignia showing twin lightning bolts snapping the chains of Nazi oppression. The lightening bolts form the letter "V", the "Victory" symbol common to both the British and United States forces. The ETO's Communications Zone, Advanced Sector superimposed the Army Service Force insignia - blue, five-pointed star upon white - designating the supply function of the organization. This insignia was acquired here in Connecticut, a center of textile production during the Second World War. It appears to be machine-stitched twill with an olive drab (OD) border, and is an oval 3½ high x 2½" wide.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:14 pm to TIGERSandFROGS
And thanks for sharing. You should be very proud! They don't make men like those of your grandfather's generation anymore.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:19 pm to Centinel
quote:
Centinel
Must have been by an electron. Your post was there right after I hit the button. Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:24 pm to Breaux
quote:
TRADOC is training and doctrine command, so he would be a trainer. What was his job while in?
I was told he was a mortar man, but that was 2nd hand. By the time he talked to me about his military service, he had Alzheimer's and couldn't remember much. But he loved telling me about his training at Camp Robinson, AR (since I was stationed at Little Rock AFB), and how he and his buddies would go downtown and play their instruments for fun.
Shortly before he passed, I was able to visit him and his eyes lit up as he remembered who I was and started talking to me about Camp Robinson again. He also gave me a silver ring he had made in Germany. It was an initial ring that he traded a local German some cigarettes for.
When he passed away, I was unable to go to his funeral because I was flying to Afghanistan that same day. I was given the flag from his funeral, and I was also sent a spent casing form the 21 gun salute. I kept that spent shell in my pocket during every one of my 100+ convoys throughout Afghanistan during my year there. It was my way of having him with me (sappy I know, but it worked for me).
I am very grateful for receiving this photo album also since he has over 30+ grandchildren and great grandchildren. It's something I'll cherish, and I'll proudly display until it's time for me to pass it down to someone. Thanks again for helping me identify these patches.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:29 pm to AFtigerFan
quote:
AFtigerFan
Glad to help. Thank you for your service.
Posted on 12/30/16 at 3:31 pm to CajunTiger92
TRADOC = Hell
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