Patches in action: Photos of SSI being worn by the troops.

[tredhed2]

On 4/15/2022 at 6:14 AM, seanmc1114 said:

SHAEF and Constabulary with tab. The site where I found this pictures indicates the series shows a party celebrating the liberation of Forbach, France in the winter of 1945/1946. But I don't think that could be correct unless the double enlisted collar brass was worn that early.  Note officer in center rear is wearing a Glider Badge. They are all veterans of the 70th Infantry Division which SSI you can just make out as the combat patch worn by some of them.

Constab not activated until 1 July 46, so the date provided by this site is incorrect. Constab trooper is member of 16th Constab Sq (Sep) stationed in Berlin.

[Linedoggie]

Those 50 mission "Crusher" caps look retarded on Army ground forces uniforms

[cavcon]

They look retarded period.   Sloppy and unprofessional 

[patches]

With the 1st Bde 101st Abn Div August 1965. Of note is the Sergeant E-5 type in the background with truncated sleeves to his shirt, most uncommon thought South Vietnam in any period, and virtually unheard of on combat operations.

[Ranger-1972]

5 hours ago, tredhed2 said:

Constab not activated until 1 July 46, so the date provided by this site is incorrect. Constab trooper is member of 16th Constab Sq (Sep) stationed in Berlin.

Photo must have been taken after 1 May 46 (when the 16th Constabulary Squadron was activated in Berlin; note that double branch / US brass was first authorized for wear in 1946) and 1948 (when the ranks of Tech Corporal & Tech Sergeant were abolished).

 

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 16th Cavalry Reconnaissance Group, Mechanized, converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 16th Constabulary Squadron, and assigned to 4th Constabulary Regiment. Troops of 16th Constabulary Squadron constituted and activated 1 May 1946. The squadron was stationed in Berlin.  The squadron had a horse-mounted platoon.  On 1 May, 1946, the horse platoon participated in the activation of the 16th Squadron, which was attended by LTG Lucius D. Clay, Deputy U.S. Military Governor.  A good history of the squadron is found here:  16th Constabulary Squadron (Berlin District), 4th Constabulary Regiment - Army Unit Directory - Together We Served

 

In 1950, when the Constabulary Squadron in Berlin was deactivated, the horse platoon was transferred to the 759th MP Battalion (which was also activated on 1 May 1946) and, when that unit was deactivated, to the 287th MP Company (see shoulder insignia).  That lasted until at least 1956 (maybe longer, but that's the latest photo I've found so far).

 

"The Constabulary patches (designed by MG Harmon) were first ordered from various German sources prior to its availability from the US insignia manufacturers, which accounts for the wide variance of the patches. Many of the various units had their separate unit designations added to the patch on a scroll worn either above or below the patch. The only one of these known to have been authorized, or locally approved, was that of the 16th Constabulary Squadron (Separate), assigned to West Berlin.  They wore a tab that said “Constabulary”, issued as a type of good conduct insignia. This tab, blue lettering on yellow background with red border, was issued to those 16th Squadron members who had been assigned to the unit for at
least 30 days and had acted professionally on- and off-duty. It was removed for transgressions, and the wearer had to begin anew. It had been approved by the then CO, LTC Goodwin.

MG Ernest Harmon was livid when he saw the 16th Sq scrolls. He ordered LTC Goodwin to remove the scrolls. LTC Goodwin told MG Harmon “No sir, we’re assigned to the Berlin Brigade, not the Constabulary, and we’ll keep wearing the scrolls.” Harmon, not known for his even temperament, practically suffered a stroke…and the 16th Sq wore the scrolls until they were inactivated and redesignated."  From The Insignia – The U.S. Constabulary History Site (usconstabulary.org)

 

"16th Constabulary Sq (Sep) was the only Constabulary unit to have the scroll authorized. Note how the letters “L” and “A” meet; also note that the lightning bolt goes behind the “C”
on the SSI, both indications these were 16th Sq insignia."  Same source.

 

More info can be found at: Constabulary Horse Platoon 1946 - EPHEMERA, PHOTOGRAPHS & MILITARY ARTWORK - U.S. Militaria Forum (usmilitariaforum.com)

[seanmc1114]

General Geoffrey Keyes, Seventh Army commander, awards the Silver Star to Major General Withers A. Burress, CO of the 100th Infantry Division. Headquarters, VI Corps. Esslingen, Germany. September 1945. I believe the officer on the left is Major General William H. H. Morris, Jr., commander of the VI Corps and former commander of the 10th Armored Division.

[seanmc1114]

MP of the 100th Infantry Division with two brigadier generals. The one on the right is wearing the SSI of the 106th Infantry Division. The one in the center is probably from the 100th ID. Are they possibly brothers?

[seanmc1114]

Major General Whithers A. Buress, commanding general of the 100th Infantry Division, at an awards ceremony with two brigadier generals, probably either the two assistant division commanders or the division artillery commander. Note the general in the center appears to be wearing the Glider Badge.

[tredhed2]

11 hours ago, Ranger-1972 said:

Photo must have been taken after 1 May 46 (when the 16th Constabulary Squadron was activated in Berlin; note that double branch / US brass was first authorized for wear in 1946) and 1948 (when the ranks of Tech Corporal & Tech Sergeant were abolished).

 

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 16th Cavalry Reconnaissance Group, Mechanized, converted and redesignated 1 May 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 16th Constabulary Squadron, and assigned to 4th Constabulary Regiment. Troops of 16th Constabulary Squadron constituted and activated 1 May 1946. The squadron was stationed in Berlin.  The squadron had a horse-mounted platoon.  On 1 May, 1946, the horse platoon participated in the activation of the 16th Squadron, which was attended by LTG Lucius D. Clay, Deputy U.S. Military Governor.  A good history of the squadron is found here:  16th Constabulary Squadron (Berlin District), 4th Constabulary Regiment - Army Unit Directory - Together We Served

 

In 1950, when the Constabulary Squadron in Berlin was deactivated, the horse platoon was transferred to the 759th MP Battalion (which was also activated on 1 May 1946) and, when that unit was deactivated, to the 287th MP Company (see shoulder insignia).  That lasted until at least 1956 (maybe longer, but that's the latest photo I've found so far).

 

"The Constabulary patches (designed by MG Harmon) were first ordered from various German sources prior to its availability from the US insignia manufacturers, which accounts for the wide variance of the patches. Many of the various units had their separate unit designations added to the patch on a scroll worn either above or below the patch. The only one of these known to have been authorized, or locally approved, was that of the 16th Constabulary Squadron (Separate), assigned to West Berlin.  They wore a tab that said “Constabulary”, issued as a type of good conduct insignia. This tab, blue lettering on yellow background with red border, was issued to those 16th Squadron members who had been assigned to the unit for at
least 30 days and had acted professionally on- and off-duty. It was removed for transgressions, and the wearer had to begin anew. It had been approved by the then CO, LTC Goodwin.

MG Ernest Harmon was livid when he saw the 16th Sq scrolls. He ordered LTC Goodwin to remove the scrolls. LTC Goodwin told MG Harmon “No sir, we’re assigned to the Berlin Brigade, not the Constabulary, and we’ll keep wearing the scrolls.” Harmon, not known for his even temperament, practically suffered a stroke…and the 16th Sq wore the scrolls until they were inactivated and redesignated."  From The Insignia – The U.S. Constabulary History Site (usconstabulary.org)

 

"16th Constabulary Sq (Sep) was the only Constabulary unit to have the scroll authorized. Note how the letters “L” and “A” meet; also note that the lightning bolt goes behind the “C”
on the SSI, both indications these were 16th Sq insignia."  Same source.

 

More info can be found at: Constabulary Horse Platoon 1946 - EPHEMERA, PHOTOGRAPHS & MILITARY ARTWORK - U.S. Militaria Forum (usmilitariaforum.com)

Funny story. The first time MG Harmon visited the 16th Constab Sq (Sep) for an inspection, he went off on LTC Godwin for the CONSTABULARY tabs. "They weren't authorized, they have to be removed", etc, etc LTC Godwin looked Harmon in the eye and said "We are assigned USFA, not the Constab, so the tabs stay". Harmon about stroked out. Yes, in one of those organizational WTFs, the 4th Constab Sq, 16th Constab Sq (Sep), and 24th Constab Sq were all Constab units assigned to US Forces, Austria upon initial activation.           

[seanmc1114]

Major General Withers A. Burress, commander of the VI Corps, decorating members of the 100th Infantry Division, which he commanded in combat until taking over VI Corps in September 1945. Note he is wearing a 100th combat patch.

[BEAT_NAVY]

7th ID along the DMZ in Korea. 

[Ranger-1972]

On 4/18/2022 at 8:33 AM, seanmc1114 said:

Major General Whithers A. Buress, commanding general of the 100th Infantry Division, at an awards ceremony with two brigadier generals, probably either the two assistant division commanders or the division artillery commander. Note the general in the center appears to be wearing the Glider Badge.

 

At the end of WWII, one of the Assistant Commanding Generals (1944-45) of the 100th Division was BG John Sheridan Winn, Jr. and the other was BG Maurice Levi Miller (1943-45).  Neither seems to have served in an airborne / glider unit during the war, so I have no idea why the officer in the middle is wearing jump wings or the glider badge.  I cannot find enough information about either officer to put together who might have been wearing which ribbons on their service blouses.  Miller commanded the 353d Inf Regt in 1942, so he might be the one with the CIB.  Though Winn was an artillery officer who commanded the 19th FA Bde in 1943, he is listed as the Asst Division Commander (not the Artillery Commander) of the 100th Division.

 

The Artillery Commander (1943-45) of the 100th Division was BG John Bartlett Murphy.  Though he was an armor officer who commanded CCA in the 7th Armored Divsiion in 1943, he is listed as the Artillery Commander for the 100th Division.

 

 

[Ranger-1972]

Just now, Ranger-1972 said:

 

At the end of WWII, one of the Assistant Commanding Generals (1944-45) of the 100th Division was BG John Sheridan Winn, Jr. and the other was BG Maurice Levi Miller (1943-45).  Neither seems to have served in an airborne / glider unit during the war, so I have no idea why the officer in the middle is wearing jump wings or the glider badge.  I cannot find enough information about either officer to put together who might have been wearing which ribbons on their service blouses.  Miller commanded the 353d Inf Regt in 1942, so he might be the one with the CIB.  Though Winn was an artillery officer who commanded the 19th FA Bde in 1943, he is listed as the Asst Division Commander (not the Artillery Commander) of the 100th Division.

 

The Artillery Commander (1943-45) of the 100th Division was BG John Bartlett Murphy.  Though he was an armor officer who commanded CCA in the 7th Armored Divsiion in 1943, he is listed as the Artillery Commander for the 100th Division.

 

 

First photo is BG Winn.  Second photo is BG Miller.  Third photo is BG Murphy.

[patches]

Here's another 6th  Corps patch, Brigadier General Charles Palmer Chief of Staff VI Corps,, Getting an award from Sandy Patch, 3 Mar 1945.

[patches]

THUNDERBIRDS

 

 Charles. M. Ankcorn C.O. of the 157th Infantry as a Colonel, on Sicily, awarded the DSC for actions on Siscly July 1944,  and Salerno, has his leg blown of by a land mine at Salerno September 1943. promoted to Brigadier General while in hospital, Medically Discharged December 1944. photo taken shipboard January 1944, on his way back from the Mediterranean, probably was sent back to Algeria to recover. as a Brigadier General now.

 

[patches]

2nd Service Command  MP Fredonia New York with German POWs  on a detail, POWs are probably being held near by at Fort Niagara.

[seanmc1114]

A couple of photos of Americal Division troops during the period it was active in the Caribbean from 1954 to 1956.

[seanmc1114]

XIX Corps

[patches]

A Flat edge 1st Army still being issued out or acquired in the spring of 1973.

[patches]

Major Gerald Popko a faculty professor at The Point.

[patches]

A long serving GI, can't get his name, who just gained a commission, currently in the 82nd as we see.

[patches]

On 5/2/2022 at 4:20 PM, seanmc1114 said:

A couple of photos of Americal Division troops during the period it was active in the Caribbean from 1954 to 1956.

 

That DI is the 504th Field Artillery Battalion, a component of the Americal in the 50s.

[seanmc1114]

Members of the 1st Airborne Battle Group 503rd Infantry wearing the 25th Infantry Division SSI and AIRBORNE tab on Okinawa in the early 1960's.

[seanmc1114]

25th Regimental Combat Team which was briefly active at Fort Benning, Georgia from 1946 to 1947. 

[copper252]

Soldier of the 182nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division wearing his patch upside down after he returned stateside from the pacific.