I would imagine this was painted after he was wounded on Guam. Probably in his time recuperating in a hospital as I would imagine he would have a lot of free time. That or on his way back stateside. That is what I would think. I don’t see any other time he could’ve done it. It’s finitely been around for a long time. There was cobwebs all up in it. There was bunch of sheets all stuffed in it as well. 

@jsand - My goof but yeah that offer threw me for a loop.  WWII era USMC, USCG, and Airborne are all tough ones to find that I've been on the hunt for during the past 5 years.  The USMC buckle that @PhilippineBuckles picked up is the only 1946 dated one I know of and I've only seen pics of 3 EA 1945 dated.  They're definitely super rare!

One more photo.  I'll leave it there.  I'll just say that I am very proud to have known Joe.  He was a very private man but was family to us.  Not all the wounds of war are visible and I think he carried many with him.

I am curious, when do you imagine this was painted?

That's a very nice "U.S" disk variant.

Here's a recent FB marketplace find from this week. Sadly, the seller lost the veterans name to time, but he remembered him being a POW and being from West Hazelton, PA. Apparently he sold off the vets ike many years ago, but maybe its still around somewhere.  My 1st 8th bullion patch in the collection, I am very pleased. Enjoy!

I've got the Brit made badge that is unmarked.  Does anyone know who might have made this?  

Nice collection.    

Here is Charlton Heston's Colonel George Taylor with patch on flight suit.

@KurtA Fantastic finds! It's always hard to beat our friend Cody at that market 😉