Military Airborne Glider Patches History 1

Information extracted from the book "US ARMY PATCHES"  by Barry Jason Stein

USED BY PERMISSION



Prcht Cap
Bdg Inf

Worn from:  Early 1940's.

A parachute on an infantry-blue background, worn on the garrison cap by personnel assigned to the parachute school at Fort Benning. Georgia.



Prcht Cap
Bdg Arty

Worn from:  Early 1940's.

The parachute on an artillery-red background was worn on the garrison cap by personnel assigned to parachute artillery units during World War II.



Glider Inf
Cap Bdg

Worn from:  Early 1940's.

The glider facing right was worn by officers.



Glider Arty
Cap Bdg

Worn from:  Early 1940's.

The glider facing left was worn by enlisted personnel.



Paraglider EP

Worn from:  Early 1940's - Current.

The parachute and the glider represent the origins of army airborne units.  Red, white, and blue are the national colors.  The glider is facing left.



Paraglider Off

Worn from:  Early 1940's - Current..

The parachute and the glider place represent the origins of army airborne units.  Red, white, and blue are the national colors.  The glide is facing right.



187th Paraglider
Inf  Regt

Worn from:  1945 - 20 June 1949 (Unauthorized).

The unit was attached to the Eleventh Airborne Division.  The design of the patch refers to the nickname of the regiment, "Devil Dogs."


187th Abn Inf Regt

Worn from:  1955 - (Unauthorized).

The design is an embroidered replica of the distinctive insignia of the unit.  The blue is for the Infantry.  The partition line of the pale heraldically representing clouds and the double-handed sword, an ancient infantry weapon, symbolized the character of the organization as an airborne infantry unit.  The motto is "Ne desit virtus" (let valor not fail).

Campaigns:  World War II (New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon, [with arrowhead]).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered Tagaytay Ridge), Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamer embroidered Sukchon), Presidential Unit Citation -- Navy (streamer embroidered Inchon), Valorous Unit Award (streamer embroidered Thua Thien Province).  Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered 17 October 1944 - 4 July 1945).  Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered Korea 1950 - 1952).  Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered Korea 1952- 1953).  Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1968 - 1969).



188th Abn Inf Regt

Worn from:  1952 - 1957 (Unauthorized).

The unit was assigned to the Eleventh Airborne Division.  The design alludes to the character of the organization as an airborne infantry unit. The inscription "Hells Angles" is unofficial.



188th Abn Inf Regt 2

Worn from:  1950 (Unauthorized).

The unit was assigned to the Eleventh Airborne Division.  The design is that of the distinctive unit insignia of the group.  The principle colors of the shield are those of infantry.  The eagle's wing is symbolic of the method of vertical attack and the striking power of the airborne forces.  The golden sword of freedom severing the chain is symbolic of the organization's participation in World War II, in the liberation of 2,000 prisoners of war at the Los Banos prison camp in Luzon, Philippine Islands.  The three red roundels (torteaux) on the wing represent the organization's three campaigns in World War II.  The unit's motto is "Winged Attack."

Campaigns:  World War II (New Guinea, Leyte, Luzon [with arrowhead]).

Decorations:  Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered 17 October 1944 - 4 July 1945).  Headquarters and headquarters company, all companies First Battalion, all companies Second Battalion entitled to distinguished unit citation (streamer embroidered Luzon).



307th Abn Engr Bn

Worn from:  March 1942 - Late 1950's (Unauthorized).

The unit was assigned to the Eighty-second Airborne Division.  The "Injuneers" (a corruption of the word engineers) are depicted here with pick-as and weapon symbolizing airborne combat engineer.