USMC Platoon Flag or Pennant

[Tonomachi]

Not sure which place flags are supposed to go but since there is a patch sewn on the front I decided to post it here. This was a compulsive buy as I had never come across one of these before. It has direct embroidery except for the 3rd Marine Division patch on the left and Hot Stuff cartoon character sewn in place on the right. There is a slot for I'm guessing a shaft so this was some sort of flag or pennant as apposed to a pillow covering. However the embroidery and patches are only on one side. It measures 21" x 17". So was this something that hung from the barracks wall or was this something that was given to a platoon member who left the platoon or maybe a retirement gift. I was also wondering about the winged boot. Did this signify the platoon was air mobile or something along those lines?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BagmanL6]

Good morning. What a unique and wonderful piece. I'll do my best to interpret what I think this it and what it all means. This will be based on my time as a Marine (86-06). Things may have been different in 63 so if I'm off hopefully someone will weigh in.

 

What I believe you have here is a platoon unofficial/private purchase guidon belonging to Weapons Platoon, Co F (Fox Co), 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, 3d Marine Division. I believe this represents a deployment to 3d Marine Division in Okinawa for 6 months (Apr-Sep 1963). 3d Marine Division has two permanent Regiments (4th and 9th) but it's Battalions were/are deployed for 6 months as part of the Unit Deployment Program. 2d Bn, 2d Marine Regiment, is a 2d Marine Division unit which probably deployed in support of 3d Marine Division.

 

Weapons Platoon consists of 3 sections - machine guns, rockets, and 60 mm mortars. I at first thought the winged boot represented the fact that the platoon spent a lot of time in the field hiking/humping/beating the bush. Now I thing it represents the mortar section. It seems I recall mortars being referred to as foot mobile artillery. The devil is probably a platoon or company mascot so to speak.

 

As i said this is based on my time. Things may have been different in 1963 but I think this will get you on the right track. Again, great piece. Probably the only made and the fact that it is still around is wonderful.

[Tonomachi]

Good morning. What a unique and wonderful piece. I'll do my best to interpret what I think this it and what it all means. This will be based on my time as a Marine (86-06). Things may have been different in 63 so if I'm off hopefully someone will weigh in.

 

What I believe you have here is a platoon unofficial/private purchase guidon belonging to Weapons Platoon, Co F (Fox Co), 2d Battalion, 2d Marines, 3d Marine Division. I believe this represents a deployment to 3d Marine Division in Okinawa for 6 months (Apr-Sep 1963). 3d Marine Division has two permanent Regiments (4th and 9th) but it's Battalions were/are deployed for 6 months as part of the Unit Deployment Program. 2d Bn, 2d Marine Regiment, is a 2d Marine Division unit which probably deployed in support of 3d Marine Division.

 

Weapons Platoon consists of 3 sections - machine guns, rockets, and 60 mm mortars. I at first thought the winged boot represented the fact that the platoon spent a lot of time in the field hiking/humping/beating the bush. Now I thing it represents the mortar section. It seems I recall mortars being referred to as foot mobile artillery. The devil is probably a platoon or company mascot so to speak.

 

As i said this is based on my time. Things may have been different in 1963 but I think this will get you on the right track. Again, great piece. Probably the only made and the fact that it is still around is wonderful.

Jeff,

 

Many thanks for this detailed explanation.