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THE AMERICAN CLOTH INSIGNIA OF WWII Patches and shoulder insignia enjoyed quite a variety of designs and materials during WWII. Materials such as felt, wool and cotton were employed. The designs and patterns of the unit patches were very colorful. The rank patches were usually subdued (OD green or tan). In-country made patches were created, primarily from the fact that supplies were not delivered with consistency to the front lines. In many cases, soldiers had to figure out how to obtain their own rank and patches. These were hand made and varied in construction techniques.

This section of the site provides examples of some of the patches used during WWII. It gives information on how to identify the patches and what is their value. This answers the two most commonly asked questions; What do I have? and how much is it worth?

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WWII US ARMY AIR CORPS PATCHES

Combat aviation was started during World War One, however it saw its true potential during World War Two. The formation of bomber groups, fighter squadrons, etc. required the development of patches to represent the groups.


WWII 1ST AAF PATCH

WWII 3RD AAF PATCH

WWII 4TH AAF PATCH

WWII 8TH AIR
FORCE PATCH



WWII 9TH AIR
FORCE PATCH

WWII 12TH AAF PATCH

WWII 13TH AAF PATCH

WWII US 14th AIR
FORCE PATCH



WWII PARATROOPER
CARRIER PATCH

WWII AAF PILOT
CADET SLEEVE PATCH

WWII SCOTTSDALE THUNDERBIRD
AIR FIELD PATCH

AIRBORNE TROOPER
CARRIER PATCH



WWII DESERT AIR
FORCE PATCH

WWII US AIR TRANSPORT
COMMAND PATCH

WWII US AAF TROOP
CARRIER PATCH

WWII AAF PILOT
CADET SLEEVE PATCH



WWII US AAF MECHANIC TRADE PATCH

WWII US IXth ENGINEERING PATCH

WWII US STAFF PATCH

WWII AAF FIGHTER SQUADRON PATCH



WWII AAF FIGHTER SQUADRON PATCH

WWII AAF FIGHTER SQUADRON PATCH

WWII AAF FIGHTER SQUADRON PATCH

WWII AAF FIGHTER SQUADRON PATCH




WWII AAF FIGHTER SQUADRON PATCH






WWII US ARMY PATCHES

The U.S. joined World War II after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. On the European front, U.S. Army troops formed a significant portion of the forces that captured North Africa and Sicily. On D-Day and in the subsequent liberation of Europe and defeat of Germany, millions of U.S. Army troops played a central role. In the Pacific, Army soldiers participated alongside U.S. Marines in the "island hopping" campaign that wrested the Pacific Islands from Japanese control.


WWII US MERRILL'S MARAUDRES PATCH

WWII AMERICAN FLYER VOLUNTEER PATCH

WWII USA CANADA SPECIAL FORCES PATCH

WWII US CHINESE FORCES TRAINING PATCH



WWII 442nd INFANTRY DIVISION PATCH

WWII US CIB PATCHES

WWII 2nd INFANTRY DIVISION PATCH

WWII US MERCHANT SERVICES PATCH



WWII US 1st INFANTRY DIVISION PATCH


WWII CALIFORNIA STATE MILITIA PATCH


WWII HAWAIIAN DEFENSE PATCH


WWII HAWAIIAN DEFENSE PATCH




WWII US 103rd INFANTRY DIVISION PATCH

WWII US ARMY 108th INFANTRY PHANTOM DIVISIOn PATCH

WWII US ARMY 130th INFANTRY PHANTOM DIVISION PATCH

WWII SIBERIAN COMMAND PATCH


WWII US PARATROOPER PATCHES

The first US Airborne Unit was a test platoon formed from part of the 29th Infantry Regiment, in July 1940. The platoon leader was 1st Lieutenant William T. Ryder who made the first paratroop jump for the US Military on August 16, 1940 at Lawson Field, Fort Benning, GA from a B-18 Bomber. He was immediately followed by Private William N. King, the first enlisted soldier to make a parachute jump.


WWII US PARATROOPS UNOFFICIAL PATCH


WWII US ARMY 101st AIRBORNE PATCH


WWII US ARMY 82nd AIRBORNE PATCH


WWII US ARMY AIRBORNE PATCH




WWII US ARMY 13TH AIRBORNE PATCH

WWII US ARMY 13TH AIRBORNE PATCH




WWII US ARMORED DIVISION PATCHES

The development of the tank near the end of World War I prompted some nations to experiment with forming them into division-size units. Many did this the same way as they did cavalry, by merely replacing infantry with tank units and giving motorization to the support units.



WWII US ARMORED DIVISION PATCH


WWII US 5TH ARMORED DIVISION PATCH


WWII US 6TH ARMORED DIVISION PATCH


WWII US 7TH ARMORED DIVISION PATCH




WWII US 9th
ARMORED DIVISION PATCH


WWII US NAVY PATCHES

The Navy saw little action during World War I, but grew into a formidable force in the years prior to World War II. Though ultimately unsuccessful, Japan attempted to allay this strategic threat with the 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. Following American entry into the war, the U.S. Navy grew tremendously as the United States was faced with a two-front war on the seas. It achieved notable acclaim in the Pacific Theater, where it was instrumental to the Allies' successful "island hopping" campaign.


WWII USN MOSQUITO
BOAT PATCH


WWII US MARINE CORPS PATCHES

In World War II, the Marines played a central role in the Pacific War. The battles of Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Tarawa, Guam, Tinian, Saipan, Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa saw fierce fighting between Marines and the Imperial Japanese Army. The following information illustrates some of the patches used by the US Marines during World War Two.



WWII USMC 18th AVIATION PATCH


WWII USMC RAIDER PATCH


WWII 2nd MARINE DIVISION PATCH


WWII 3rd MARINE AMPHIBIOUS DIVISION PATCH




WWI USMC VETERAN UNOFFICIAL PATCH


WWII USMC 1ST MARINE DIVISION THEATER MADE PATCH


WWII USMC 51 ARTILLERY PATCH


WWII USMC MASTER SGT RANK PATCH




WWII USMC DEFENSE BATTERY PATCH







 
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