Military Infantry Brigade Patches History3

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

USED BY PERMISSION

116th Inf Bde

The equestrian figure is a representation of the General Thomas J. Jackson Monument.  He is immortalized in a monument at Manassas, where he gained the nickname "Stonewall."  Blue and gray refer to the rich heritage of the state of Virginia.

Campaigns:  Civil War (First Manassas, Peninsula, Valley, Second Manassas, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Shenandoah, Petersburg, Appomattox, Virginia 1861/1862/1863/1864, Maryland 1864), World War I (Meuse-Argonne, Alsace 1918), World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamer embroidered Normandy), French Croix de Guerre with Palm -- World War II (streamer embroidered Beaches of Normandy).

157th Inf Bde

The bundle of wheat, or garb, is adapted from the seal of the state of Pennsylvania.  It suggests peaceful pursuits, while the projecting spears denote preparedness for defense.  The yellow and red ties represent the armor and artillery battalions organic to the unit.

Campaigns:  World War I (Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine 1918), World War II (Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe).

Decorations:  French Croix de Guerres with Palm -- World War II (streamers embroidered Parroy Forest, and Normandy to Paris), French Croix de Guerre -- World War II -- Fourragere.

171st Inf Bde

The northern lights and snowcapped mountains are symbolic of Alaska, where the unit was organized.  Together the combat arms color and bayonet refer to the infantry and symbolize attack.

Campaigns:  World War I, World War II (Central Europe).

172nd Inf Bde

Combat arms colors are represented, with the bayonet alluding to the infantry and symbolizing attack.  The Big Dipper and North Star represent Alaska, the state in which the brigade serves.  The mountains refer to the terrain over which the units maneuver to gain and hold ground.

Campaigns:  World War I, World War II (Central Europe).  

173rd Abn Bde

The 173rd Infantry Brigade was organized in August 1917 as an element of the Eighty-seventh Division at Camp Pike, Arkansas and re-designated in March 1963 as the 173rd Airborne Brigade.  The bayonet is used to refer to the brigade and, borne by the wing, alludes to the brigade's status.  Red, white, and blue are the national colors.  The patch appeared in modified form, reflecting both unit pride and antiauthoritarian attitudes during the Vietnam War.  One version had interlocked black-and-white fists bearing the slogan "Two Shades of Soul Togetherness."  Another version replaced the winged bayonet with a winged opium pope.  The patch is shown here on a pocket hangar as worn in Vietnam.  A crack paratrooper force, remembered for the "airborne spirit" shown at the battle of Dak To, 1-7 November 1967, they were the first major army combat unit sent into Vietnam.  The brigade was affectionately known by its nickname "The Herd."

Campaigns:  World War II (Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe), Vietnam (Defense, Counteroffensive and Phases II/III/IV/V/VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counter - offensive, Consolidation I).

Decorations:  Presidential Unit Citation -- Army (streamer embroidered Dak To), Meritorious Unit Commendation -- Army (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1965 - 1969), Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1965 - 1970), Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal -- First Class (streamer embroidered Vietnam 1969 - 1971). 

187th Inf Bde

The arrowhead symbolizes the assault power of the brigade.  The powder horn refers to the colonial spirit of readiness and is symbolic of the Army Reserve. 

Campaigns:  World War II (Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe).

191st Inf Bde

Blue and white are the colors used for infantry.  The grenade and bayonet, basic combat weapons, allude to the mission of the brigade to destroy the enemy by offensive action and to repel assault.  Red, the most dominant color of the spectrum, is symbolic of the unit's striking capabilities.

Campaigns:  World War II (Leyte, Ryukyus).

Decorations:  Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (streamer embroidered 17 October 1944 - 4 July 1945).

193rd Inf Bde

The bayonet, a basic infantry weapon, alludes to the mission of the brigade to destroy the enemy and to close combat.  The color red, the most powerful color of the palette, refers to the striking power of the brigade.

Campaigns:  World War II (Central Europe), Armed Forces Expeditions (Panama).

196th Inf Bde

Blue is associated with infantry.  Yellow and red allude to cavalry and artillery.  The double-headed match, used during the days of the matchlock musket, was lit at both ends to ensure readiness.

Campaigns:  World War II (Asiatic-Pacific theater), Vietnam (Counteroffensive Phases II/III/IV/V/VI/VII, Tet and Tet/69 Counteroffensives, Summer-Fall 1969, Winter-Spring 1970, Sanctuary Counteroffensive, Consolidation I and II, Cease-Fire).

Decorations:  Valorous Unit Award (streamer embroidered Quang Tin Province), Republic of Vietnam Crosses of Gallantry with Palm (streamers embroidered Vietnam 1969; Vietnam 1969 - 1970; Vietnam April - June 1971; and Vietnam June - October 1971).

197th Inf Bde

The serrated section is symbolic of close combat and counterattack abilities.  The cartridge refers to the unit's capabilities of destroying the enemy and repelling their assault with firepower.  Red, the most powerful color of the spectrum represents the striking power of the unit.

Campaigns:  World War II (Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe), Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

Decorations:  Belgian Fourragere 1940, cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian army for action at the Siegfried Line, Elsenborn Crest, and the Ardennes.

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