I think the red letters were to help prevent theft. They made them more obvious as to what branch it belonged to. That’s what i think,  but im not sure. 

ABOUT THE MAP  &  A DRAGOON OFFICER    A dark ragged shape in the lower left corner of the map details the Pedregal, an ancient lava bed that measured three-miles across by five miles in length.  Gaps separated the unstable rocks throughout this difficult space of random fissures.  A challenge in daylight and prohibitive at night, there was little difference between this outcropping of broken scoria and a collapsed staircase.     On August 18, Robert E. Lee was given the task of finding a way through this five-mile hell.  He quickly ran out of possibilities, but he decided to probe the southern edge while moving west. With the aid of Captain Philip Kearney of the 1st Dragoons, he found the rudiments of a lane and recognized it as the potential path.  Lee and Kearney continued, they reached an elevation called Zacatepec and discovered a Mexican position at Padierna (Contreras). The next morning, with the labor of the 11th U.S. Infantry the path was improved.    Jones, L. and L. p 52; R.E. Lee to Mrs. J. E. Totten, August 22, 1847; Peyster, p 153; NA RG 94, HQ General Orders No. 258    

Here's the WW2 AAF 877th Bombardment Squadron leather patch I just finished, enjoy :) 

Hey, super nice "Red Letter" Victory! Mine was one of the first U.S. militaries I obtained way back in '80! #V103 thousand range. I wonder how many pieces received the RED LETTERS...and why? Yours looks a wee bit cleaner than mine. Nice find!      

Found in an estate sale, this flag was handed down in the family and belonged to William Barnes Guinn, a private who served in Company D of the 32nd Texas Cavalry Regiment. More than likely a reunion piece that was made after the war, the flag was a first for me and a great find with a name attatched to it.   

It is too worn to see on camera but it has writing on the side and on the bottom it is stamped 120 mm. It is about 3.5 feet tall and 140 mm wide because it kind of tapers

That’s the one, thanks for finding it.   Remembering Dave Peiffer my old collecting buddy from Central PA.

Ok

A sterling silver Whitehead and Hoag colonel eagle repurposed as a RVA lifetime member pin?  Very nice modification.