Two Different Corps Patches On Master Sergeant Sleeves

[mds308]

While digging in an old footlocker I found 6 shirts in OD green and khaki. They either have a XXI Corps patch or a XXIV Corps patch. There is one 1954 dated khaki shirt that has a XXI Corps patch on one shoulder and the XXIV Corps patch on the other shoulder. From what I could could gather, the 21st ended in 1945 and the 24th went from 1944-1949 and then again in Vietnam. Does this make sense on a shirt from 1954? Do I have bad intel? Thanks for the clarification.

 

 

[JerseyDevil117]

According to a book by chris alec, the xxi corps was reactivated in 9/1957

[mds308]

 

According to a book by chris alec, the xxi corps was reactivated in 9/1957

 

Thanks for the response. I guess my other question is why two separate Corps patches on one shirt. Does one Corps fall under or work for another Corps? Am I over thinking this?

[JerseyDevil117]

left side is for current assignment and right is for combat patches. The jacket looks real to me

[patches]

Your shirt was probably worn by this Master Sergent in late 50s early 60s. As Crymetimes pointed out, this GI was in WWII in the 24th Corps, and when he wore this shirt was now a member of the 21st Corps, he probably was a reservist as these Corps' controlled reserve units, the 21st Corps, reserve units in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland, and I think maybe the District of Columbia.

 

He hasn't switched to the new Gold on Amy Green 44 stripes at this time, and that's OK, some of the GIs kept wearing the large old style ones in their various styles, to include the small 1955 Specialist rank insignia on their Khaki shirts and Fatique shirts and Field Jackets for a quite a bit past 1958 see HERE.

[patches]

For emphasis, a 1959-1960 photo of Sergeant First Class in South Vietnam wearing the Abbreviated Khaki Uniform, where he's wearing the OD on Khaki chevrons, note too his colleague, a Master Sergeant, is wearing still the OD on Blue Twill ones. The wear of these types, the older WWII types in their various forms as well as the newer M1951 OD on Blue Twill type were seen being worn on all the different types of uniform items starting in the mid Korean War period on, and still seen here and there after 1958 when the Gold on AG44 chevrons became standard.