DutchErik Posted October 3, 2021 Share #1 Posted October 3, 2021 I got this pocket patch with a small lot of US Army insignia but haven't been able to identify it yet. The motto (On the ball) relates to the 254th Field Artillery battalion, but the grenade refers to ordnance I think and what about the "21" in the grenade? I guess the patch dates from the 1950's. Who can tell me more? DutchErik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tredhed2 Posted October 3, 2021 Share #2 Posted October 3, 2021 21st Ordnance (Medium Maintenance) Company WW 2 service SWPTO post war occupation Japan, stationed Kyoto Japan until mid 1960s, then sent to RVN. Patch made in Japan c. 1952 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchErik Posted October 4, 2021 Author Share #3 Posted October 4, 2021 Thanks for this information, but what about the text / motto? Is it by coincidence the same as with the 254th FA battalion or is there a link between these units? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted October 7, 2021 Share #4 Posted October 7, 2021 On 10/3/2021 at 10:54 PM, DutchErik said: Thanks for this information, but what about the text / motto? Is it by coincidence the same as with the 254th FA battalion or is there a link between these units? Would think it's just a reference to the Cannon Ball of the Ordnance Corps, though its officially called by the Army as a "Shell and Flame", and of course in like other armies, like the British, it's called a Grenade, as in the ancient Grenades Grenadiers carried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchErik Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share #5 Posted October 7, 2021 Thank you, your point of view makes sence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patches Posted October 7, 2021 Share #6 Posted October 7, 2021 15 hours ago, DutchErik said: Thank you, your point of view makes sence. Yes seeing that this is a Post War Occupation Japan patch, early 50s patch, they just chose the motto On The Ball without any frame of reference, the Unit Crest of the 254th Field Artillery Battalion on the other hand only came out in 1956, 8 February 1956, choosing On The Ball as their motto, probably because of their most decent combat service in Europe in WWII, in example during the Battle of the Bulge the 254th Field Artillery Battalion was cited twice by the Belgian Army and was awarded the Belgian Fourragere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchErik Posted October 7, 2021 Author Share #7 Posted October 7, 2021 Knowing that the units were on different sides of the world and that the 21st Ordnance company patch was made before the 254th FA battalion DI was authorized makes it all clear. Case closed I would say. Thanks for all the information and efforts you made to get me up-to-date.👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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