heftaa01 Posted December 10, 2013 Share #1 Posted December 10, 2013 Most people have seen a standard 111th RCT patch, a short lived SSI for the 111th which featured a profile of Ben Franklin. I've had this one for a little over a year and figured it might be of interest. It's an original, but at some point someone added a smile and eye ball to ole' Bennie with some blue thread. I have no idea when this was done, especially since this patch was only authorized for several months. Thoughts? -Heft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted December 10, 2013 Share #2 Posted December 10, 2013 Hahaa,nice.Perhaps someone tried to improve on Bens' looks.Here is an "unembellished" example I found online for comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted December 10, 2013 Share #3 Posted December 10, 2013 Just how long was this patch worn? There seems to be a real dirth of info really on these 50s RCT patch time frames on when they were worn, Barry Stein has dates but no doubt those are off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uberguido Posted December 10, 2013 Share #4 Posted December 10, 2013 well, we all know soldiers, and therefore we all know if it was embellished by a Joe, then it could have been a lot........a lot worse with some "extras" in there. so all in all, im proud of that embellisher for keeping it simple and subtle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heftaa01 Posted December 10, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted December 10, 2013 Here is a scan of the authorization for the patch dated 29 Dec 1956. I've heard everything from 6 months - 2 years. I've done a lot of research on this, and still have no solid answer. I know the 111th rejoined the 28th ID on 1 June 1959, and began wearing the Keystone again at this time (eventually switching patches twice more before returning to the Keystone) . The 1997 Regimental History states the 111th RCT patch was worn 1958-59 (which doesn't make sense considering the patch was approved in '56?). A letter I have from the Adjutant of the 111th to the PAANG Military History Detachment (March 97) dates the patch to 1959 only. Next time I get a chance to do research at FTIG I'll see what I can nail down. On a side note, in 8 years of researching the 111th, I have never seen an original photo of this patch worn, or a uniform with this patch sewn on. -Heft Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted December 11, 2013 Share #6 Posted December 11, 2013 "I have never seen an original photo of this patch worn, or a uniform with this patch sewn on." Maybe the soldiers were ashamed to wear such an "unbeautiful" patch! "well, we all know soldiers, and therefore we all know if it was embellished by a Joe, then it could have been a lot........a lot worse with some "extras" in there. so all in all, im proud of that embellisher for keeping it simple and subtle." Yes,but I think the "embellisher" should not have stopped there;he should have given Ben some hair that can be seen.It's too tough to see where his face ends and his hair begins! Blue hair would've suited Ben,he was such a free spirit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted December 11, 2013 Share #7 Posted December 11, 2013 On a side note, in 8 years of researching the 111th, I have never seen an original photo of this patch worn, or a uniform with this patch sewn on. -Heft 111thscn.jpg You could say the same thing about just about every RCT out there. How about logistical command patches? -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted December 11, 2013 Share #8 Posted December 11, 2013 Hahaa,nice.Perhaps someone tried to improve on Bens' looks.Here is an "unembellished" example I found online for comparison. That is actually a really nice variation I haven't seen before. Here is mine which matches the OP's patch. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted December 11, 2013 Share #9 Posted December 11, 2013 Most people have seen a standard 111th RCT patch, a short lived SSI for the 111th which featured a profile of Ben Franklin. I've had this one for a little over a year and figured it might be of interest. It's an original, but at some point someone added a smile and eye ball to ole' Bennie with some blue thread. I have no idea when this was done, especially since this patch was only authorized for several months. Thoughts? 111thRCT.jpg -Heft Interesting. Could you post a reverse shot of it? thanks! Kurt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heftaa01 Posted December 12, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted December 12, 2013 Reverse, you can see the knots on the back from the thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted December 12, 2013 Share #11 Posted December 12, 2013 I,ve seen this RCT patch worn The 178th RCT Illinois NG I seen it in one of my 1950s issues of The National Guardsman magazines, I also found this online unit photo the unit at this time was all Black, and are the officers of the 1st Battalion 178th RCT. In other unit photos from the period the 5th Army patch is worn, but in this one the unique RCT patch is seen. I also spy what looks like a 93rd Division Combat patches being worn, second row third from the left, and further along two men across. The site I found this on http://www.8thinfantry.org/photos.html PS. The 178th RCT patch I found and posted is an original 50s NS Meyer, and is for sale on E- Bay, its under Combat 178 Not sure why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted December 12, 2013 Share #12 Posted December 12, 2013 Another one I seen being worn, in one of my Army Information Digests, a 50s one. The photo shows IIRC a GI standing near his opened wall locker and his shirts, IKEs, Overcoat has this one sewn on them. The 176th RCT, Virginia NG. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted December 12, 2013 Share #13 Posted December 12, 2013 Reverse, you can see the knots on the back from the thread. 111thRCTback.jpg Thanks for posting the 2nd shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavscout6b Posted December 18, 2013 Share #14 Posted December 18, 2013 The 111st Rgt. patch probably had the blue added, to show it was a bust of Franklin. (No disrespect, but even at 10 feet; could it still be easily identified as Franklin?) There are a few designs that could never be easily duplicated with detail, and some looked rather odd when the OD patches started to appear for combat uniforms. The late-50's/early-60's was the "hey day" for NG regimental patches, as the Army was always in transition. Units were continuously passed between commands/divisions. The PA Guard was hit hard, passing units between State Command, the 28th & 42nd Divs., while absorbing ones from the 29th & 50th Armored Div. The 111th was also "odd man out", having been dropped from the 28th Div. in WW2. It wasn't even a division command until returning to the 28th Div. in 1959. (And that was done by reflagging the 112th Inf. Rgt.) The Regiment was the one constant, so units stayed with the regimental patch (if possible...). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted February 2, 2014 Share #15 Posted February 2, 2014 Would like to add another 50s NG RCT patch being worn, the 181st RCT, this was posted by member jdamaso111 awhile back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted May 25, 2015 Share #16 Posted May 25, 2015 Here's that 178th RCT patch in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted May 27, 2015 Share #17 Posted May 27, 2015 Great photo! -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL THE PATCH Posted May 27, 2015 Share #18 Posted May 27, 2015 What kind of helmet is he wearing?, never seen one with ear cutouts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted May 27, 2015 Share #19 Posted May 27, 2015 What kind of helmet is he wearing?, never seen one with ear cutouts. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/147138-t-19e2-with-liner-helmet-m-1-crash/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted August 17, 2016 Share #20 Posted August 17, 2016 Another 50s RCT sighting, this one the 278th RCT of Tennessee, shirt is on E-Bay if anyone if interested, also note 10th Corps combat patch for what no doubt is recent Korea service, in it's correct wear upside down (White field on Top) for that time period. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Military-Korean-War-Shirt-10th-Corp-PFC-Cotton-Khaki-Stand-Up-Collar-Army-15-X30-/282108361827?hash=item41aef7fc63:g:NewAAOSw0fhXkPw- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted January 4, 2017 Share #21 Posted January 4, 2017 Ahhh was finally able find that foto of the 176th RCT patches, it's n fact in the stock foto section of a January 1960 Fort Knox Basic Training yearbook. Here I would say the foto must date earlier to say 1958 or 1957, but as the Drill Sergeant in the foto is wearing a field jacket (you know, winter), then no later than early 1959 (176th Regimental Combat Team inactivated July 1959). As to why a trainee would have all the unit patches already sewn to his stuff at basic? because the 176th RCT was a National Guard unit, and it would seem that enlistees in the National Guard got a lot of stuff issued to them at their armories, to include unit shoulder patches before leaving for basic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teamski Posted January 4, 2017 Share #22 Posted January 4, 2017 That is a great shot! I really like RCT and Logistical Command photos of the more obscure units. They are kinda like hen's teeth. -Ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CW4AFB Posted October 23, 2017 Share #23 Posted October 23, 2017 Patches---as you requested---here's a 176th uniform from an officer in the Richmond VA area---he served in the 8th Air Force in WW2...and a picture of a 176th RCT officer talking to the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CW4AFB Posted October 23, 2017 Share #24 Posted October 23, 2017 and the Ike jacket from a 29th ID vet who served later in the 176th RCT---176th had the lineage for the 1st Virginia Regiment ----also a photograph of a 176th display---probably mid/late 50s at the Armory in Sandston. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted October 23, 2017 Share #25 Posted October 23, 2017 Good stuff, and thanks for the additional period photos, and the other coat and shirt, I just thought you had the IKE jacket. Now of course questions on the IKE, curious insignia, ie the discharge badge, and the major ranks??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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