2nd Armor Choc Chip

[hink441]

Found this today in a local thrift store. Finding a patched up DBDU is somewhat scarce these days. I like the placement of the patch above the US Army tape.

 

Chris

 

[hink441]

Another picture. The name tapes appear theater made. The right sleeve patches are hand sewn.

 

[MattS]

I was at Ft. Hood when 2AD returned, they were authorized to wear the division patch on their chest in honor of the tradition started by Gen George Patton who said the 2nd AD was "closest to my heart" (as the story goes).

[flashesandovals]

Great piece!

[Martinjmpr]

Don't necessarily want to rain on your parade but those name tapes look incorrect for a desert shield/storm uniform. Since the patches are green the nametapes should be, too.

 

Not saying the jacket is not authentic but the name tapes look like they were put on later.

 

I don't recall seeing the tan nametapes until OIF/OEF started, which would be long after the chocolate chip was authorized as a uniform.

 

EDIT: Whoops, just noticed the US flag patch under the right sleeve patch. That was not authorized until 2003, again, long after the chocolate chip was dropped from use by the Army. I'm guessing this is something somebody put together.

 

EDITED EDIT: I guess I should clarify about the flag. We wore the flag on the right sleeve when I was in Bosnia/Croatia/Hungary in 1997-98 but it was strictly an "in theater" modification because we were operating in a multi-national (NATO) environment and it was important to be able to tell what country we were from. We were told that the flag had to come off before we returned to CONUS. So it's possible that the flag on the right sleeve was an in-theater modification that was authorized by the local commander.

 

I can't remember if flags were worn in Desert Storm or not. I don't think they were but I may be wrong.

[Martinjmpr]

BTW Chris, I saw your other post in the Camo Uniforms thread. The 1st Armored Division (Old Ironsides) jacket that you have looks like what a Desert Storm-era Choclate Chip should look like. Note the green nametape and green sewed on rank insignia. From my recollection the Army did not have tan colored US Army tapes, rank insignia, badges and subdued patches until OEF started in 2001.

[flashesandovals]

I am positive it is good.

Check out this page - all original pieces collected during and right after ODS: http://www.desertstorm1991.com/files/UNC/TAPES.htm

[MattS]

Those tapes are probably Saudi made, the flag was worn on the right sleeve (sometimes oriented the wrong way, but not in this case), and the OD division patches are also correct. The army had tan nametapes much earlier than OEF, I saw them worn after DS and in Somalia in 1993.

[atb]

Locally made tan and black US ARMY and nametapes and full color US flags all worn on the DCBDU uniform in 1991. The tapes in tan were not universal, but by the time the war ended and troops were headed home for the parades, flags were pretty much worn by all.There is much photographic evidence and many existing uniforms from the period showing this.

[vzemke]

As others have stated, NOTHING wrong with this uniform.

 

Desert subdued name and US Army tapes (both US made and local/Saudi made) are extremely common on legit uniforms from this time frame. Same thing with hand sewn-on shoulder patches, believe it or not. I've purchased several direct from the veterans with those characteristics.

 

The American flag patch is fine as well. It seems like some units made people take them off as soon as they redeployed, some did not.

 

With over 1/2 a million US personnel taking part in the operation, just because you don't remember seeing something doesn't mean it wasn't done.

[B229]

As others have said, there is nothing wrong with this uniform. Theater made tan insignia was available and worn, although most commonly after the war ended. The mix of tan and green insignia is actually pretty typical for uniforms worn home in 1991.

 

The flag is correct too, although this went back and forth several times during Desert Shield/Storm. Flags were worn initially because flags had been worn on expeditionary operations for a long time. They were then ordered removed because it was felt the Saudi's might misinterpret this as a sign the US was occupying their country, or some other nonsense. When Desert Shield became a more expanded, international operation, the flags returned. This is when the whole "flapping in the wind" crap came up too, and the flag was reversed in spite of being in violation of US flag code.

[Martinjmpr]

Ah, I stand corrected then.

[hink441]

Great discussion here, lots of good info being shared. I have gained new knowledge!! Thanks to all for posting.

 

Chris