Jump to content

Humorous 111th RCT Patch


heftaa01
 Share

Recommended Posts

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?

post-88120-0-54904700-1386640963.jpg

 

-Heft

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patchcollector

Hahaa,nice.Perhaps someone tried to improve on Bens' looks.Here is an "unembellished" example I found online for comparison.

post-13386-0-28588400-1386654032.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

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

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

 

 

post-88120-0-63065400-1386714823.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patchcollector

"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! :D

 

"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! :lol:

Blue hair would've suited Ben,he was such a free spirit! :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

 

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

 

 

attachicon.gif111thscn.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

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

post-3043-0-97373500-1386734379.jpeg

post-3043-0-64157500-1386734385.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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?

attachicon.gif111thRCT.jpg

 

-Heft

 

Interesting. Could you post a reverse shot of it?

thanks!

Kurt

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I,ve seen this RCT patch worn

 

The 178th RCT Illinois NG

 

post-34986-0-22116300-1386819492.jpg

 

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

 

 

178officers.jpg

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 :lol: Not sure why.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

post-34986-0-86383900-1386820264.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • 1 month later...
  • 1 year later...
  • 1 year later...

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-

post-34986-0-96445700-1471399764_thumb.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 months later...

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).

 

 

post-34986-0-47878200-1483499885.jpg


 

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

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

  • 9 months later...

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

post-2235-0-22586300-1508795465.jpg

post-2235-0-84743900-1508795484_thumb.jpg

post-2235-0-22623000-1508795509.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.

post-2235-0-45615000-1508795803.jpg

post-2235-0-10666300-1508795817_thumb.jpg

post-2235-0-10495900-1508795830.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...