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

[copper252]

On 8/8/2023 at 8:18 AM, seanmc1114 said:

Private Walter Lynch of the 182nd Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division, wounded veteran of Soutwest Pacific. December 2, 1943. Note he is wearing the DUI of the 182nd Infantry Regiment and the Navy Presidential Unit Citation the regiment earned on Guadalcanal. 

 

Missing from the uniform is any SSI. According to the Institute Of Heraldry, the SSI was not approved until 20 December 1943. Also notice he is wearing three stars on his Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon. By 1943, the 182nd Infantry had only participated in the Guadalcanal and Northen Solomons campaigns.

 

I don't believe I have seen any photos of the Americal SSI being worn from any earlier than the summer of 1945.

 

Also note the current 182nd DUI contains the SSI of the AMerical Division in the upper right corner of the shield. This was added in 1948 and is not present in the DUI worn in the photos. 

 

 

Where did this photo come from?

[patches]

A GI of the 101 at the 1970 Bob Hope Christmas Show at Camp Evans.

[patches]

All American, looks U.S. Merrowed Edge, 1969.

[seanmc1114]

First Army SSI worn as the organizational insignia of the 4th Cavalry Multi-Functional Training Brigade, part of the First Army Division-East. Note the Major is wearing Corps of Engineer branch insignia on his lapels, the Expert Infantryman Badge and Cavalry branch insignia on his Stetson hat. 

[seanmc1114]

Full color 20th Engineer Brigade SSI worn in 2024. The brigade is part of the XVIII Airborne Corps and the white on blue AIRBORNE tab was officially authorized as part of the SSI by the Institute of Heraldry from 1974 to 2009. Nevertheless, some members currently wear the maroon beret with flash. Members of the Brigade HHC wear the XVIII Airborne Corps flash while the 27th Engineer Battalion has its own flash.

 

Note in the fourth photo, the Lieutenant Colonel is wearing a 20th Engineer Brigade combat patch without an AIRBORNE tab, while in the last five photos, the soldiers are wearing the 20th SSI with AIRBORNE tab as their combat patch. 

 

 

 

 

[atb]

On 11/5/2024 at 10:01 AM, seanmc1114 said:

First Army SSI worn as the organizational insignia of the 4th Cavalry Multi-Functional Training Brigade, part of the First Army Division-East. Note the Major is wearing Corps of Engineer branch insignia on his lapels, the Expert Infantryman Badge and Cavalry branch insignia on his Stetson hat. 

Boy, those new uniforms don't fit very well. The original idea to revive the officers "pinks and greens" sure went off the rails. The committee that made the decisions was shown many samples of original uniforms and official WW2-period Quartermaster Corps fabric samples, but I think they didn't really pay attention. Personal preferences played a role, too. Hence the button and cap insignia finish, weird service caps, faux "Ike" jackets, and leather jackets.

[seanmc1114]

On 9/5/2018 at 1:26 PM, seanmc1114 said:

I have no idea what this one is. It came from the Nebraska National Guard Facebook page.

 

On 9/5/2018 at 2:33 PM, seanmc1114 said:

Found it. The SSI is for the 528th Sustainment Brigade, Special Operations (Airborne) and the particular unit is the 195th Forward Support Company of the Nebraska National Guard

Apparently the 528th Sustainment Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) is now part of the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) and wears the SSI of the 1st Special Forces even though its own SSI does not appear to have been rescinded. Here are some current pictures of members of the 528th wearing the Special Forces SSI and maroon berets or tan for those who are Ranger qualified.

[Haze99]

October 24, 2024

 

Indianapolis, Indiana 

Staff Sgt. Jonathan Porter (left) and Sgt. 1st Class Donald Fulton, Army Recruiters with the Indy Metro South Recruiting Company, Indianapolis Recruiting Battalion, engage with interested high school students at the United States Army interactive display during the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Convention. 

Photo by Keri Anne Smialek 

3rd Army Recruiting Brigade  

Note: SSG Porter wears the FWTS patch of U.S. Army Element- Special Operations Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve Patch.

[SFC]

Here it is in colour

 

[Haze99]

Nice image SFC, however, 

[SFC]

Yes your right

[SFC]

Just now, SFC said:

Yes your right,this is the Special Opration Joint Task Force Afghanistan

 

[seanmc1114]

Here's another one I don't understand. This is the sergeant major of the 59th Ordnance Brigade from a 2023 posting on the brigade's Facebook page. The 59th has its own approved SSI which can be seen on the guidon in the background of the photo. According to Wikipedia, the 59th is currently stood up as the U.S. Army Ordnance School's training brigade. That school also has its own approved SSI. The sergeant major is wearing the DUI's of the 59th Ordnance Brigade. Yet the sergeant major, and all other members of the brigade shown on the Facebook page, wear the Sustainment Center Of Excellence SSI.  Anyone know why that is?

[mysteriousoozlefinch]

58th Military Intelligence Brigade in full color worn recently at the stand-up of the 629th Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion.  Also as a FWTS patch by the brigade commander.

 

 

29th Air Traffic Control Group returning from the Gulf War are greeted by the Adjutant General of Maryland.

 

[easterneagle87]

From FB:

US Personnel with some local girls in Iceland - 1943

Note the Soldier on the left has the Iceland Base Command Patch

 

[mikie]

15 hours ago, easterneagle87 said:

From FB:

US Personnel with some local girls in Iceland - 1943

Note the Soldier on the left has the Iceland Base Command Patch

 

It almost looks like he is posing specifically to show the patch. 
Gee, those gals don’t look too thrilled. 
mikie

[mysteriousoozlefinch]

1 hour ago, mikie said:

It almost looks like he is posing specifically to show the patch. 
Gee, those gals don’t look too thrilled. 
mikie

 

That appears to have been the general stance by the ladies in Iceland towards allied personnel, at least according to the memoirs of an RCN officer I just finished reading.  Often their fathers or brothers were standing close at hand as well.

[seanmc1114]

Sixth Army cook from a 1969 Fort Ord basic training book.

[seanmc1114]

John Wayne wearing his first pattern jungle fatigues and Special Forces SSI with soldiers of the Infantry School at Fort Benning during the recording of the choral version of “The Ballad of the Green Berets” used in the film "The Green Berets".

 

It looks like John Wayne is wearing OG-107 pants with his jungle jacket.

[seanmc1114]

Maneuver Support Center Of Excellence - Fort Leonard Wood, MO

[JrBfloNY]

I need help with my newest submission. I need to know what unit & conflict this paratrooper is serving in. I am quite proud of this astute & admirable soldier.

[JrBfloNY]

On 4/17/2024 at 2:32 PM, Teamski said:

....Or 9th ID....

 

-Ski

I was doing some research & men stationed at Red Cliff Air Station (Pepperell), north of St. John's Newfoundland would be wearing this insignia in the USAAF. Then he stayed in during the separation and formation of the USAF, hence wearing as a former SSI during the war. But he could have served anywhere in the Labrador Newfoundland Base Cmd, it's quite a large area & was sprinkled with Air bases, Just like Greenland. Idk just my thought.

[easterneagle87]

Not worn by troops, but an interesting patch. Can anyone shed some information on the unique SSI, please. Connecticut Guard?

 

 

[mysteriousoozlefinch]

7 hours ago, easterneagle87 said:

Not worn by troops, but an interesting patch. Can anyone shed some information on the unique SSI, please. Connecticut Guard?

 

 

 

1st Company, Governor's Horse Guard.  Mostly a ceremonial unit, although they're also state troops of a fashion under the Adjutant General's office.

[Haze99]

August 18, 2024

JB Lewis-McChord

 

Leadership from the brigades place the 7th Infantry Division patches on Soldier's sleeves during the closing ceremony of Week of the Bayonet. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)