Medical patch

[WS60]

Some interesting medical patches came to my friend, but signed package “for sportswear”. Does somebody know when the ARMY used such these kind of patches and real for what?

[WS60]

[kiaiokalewa]

Aloha, These were Pre-WWII in design and made for exactly what it states. The Panama Canal Zone Department, Philippine Department and the Hawaii Department all had endorsed athletic activities and events of all types. There were inter-departmental challenges between the top athletes. The Smoker events was most notably, however football, baseball, swimming etc...also occurred with quite some frequency. On occasions the three different Departments would organize events against the very best in what ever division they decided to challenge in. Are the patches real? Yes. Were they ever worn? Yes. Who wore them? The athletes themsleeves. Are they collectable? Yes. Should you keep them together with their original packaging? Absolutely! Mahalo, John

[WS60]

Thanks for your quick response, very interesting information

Walter

[Steverino]

Thanks for your quick response, very interesting information

Walter

 

As an additional item of info regarding these emblems, the Sembler brand was a subset of the larger company, GEMSCO in Connecticut. They recently went out of business, but for years, even prior to WWII, they produced some of the finest embroidered patches found anywhere.

 

Patch Johnson

Steve Johnson

[WS60]

[Proud Kraut]

Does this one falls into the same category or is it a novelty patch?

 

Lars

[mortaydc60]

If I am not mistaken this is not a novelty patch but represents the Medical Service Corp which provides admin services.etc not direct patient care. Could possibly been used by teams at Ft.Sam Houston which is the HQ and school for MSC. Ft Sam was also the training base for the Army Penthatelon Team and HQ for the Fourth Army and than was assimilated by the Fifth Army in 1971-2.