Military Infantry Division Patches 6

Divisions either organized before or during World War I did not use the designation "infantry."  The re-designation of these divisions as infantry came sometime after World War I when the divisions' structure was reorganized to include specialists in a wide variety of functions.  A standard infantry division of the World War II era, for example, was designed for open warfare and, consequently, a pool of motor transport and artillery were assigned to them.  It was this combined-arms formation that gained permanent status.  Specialized combat or logistical support was provided by corps and army-level units.  Beside the infantry division, motorized and airborne divisions were formed as well as a light (truck) division, a light (jungle) division, and a mountain division.  The airborne division was initially a miniature version of the infantry division with the addition of a small antiaircraft battalion, one parachute, and two glider regiments.

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

USED BY PERMISSION

46th Inf Div2

46th Inf Div3

Worn from:  1946 - Current.

The division was organized in May 1947 at Lansing, Michigan.  The colors gold and blue, taken from the wreath of the Michigan State Crest, signify the original exploration and settlement of the state of Michigan by the French.  The clenched right hand represents the constant preparedness of the organization to defend the peace.

47th Inf Div

Worn from:  10 June 1946 - 1 February 1991.

Constituted 10 June 1946 in the National Guard as Headquarters, Forty-seventh Infantry Division, and ordered into active federal service in January 1951 at St. Paul, Minnesota.  The circular background represents the shield of Thor, god of thunder and strength, the great defender, a victor in battle.  Blue is for infantry, the group from which the first units of the National Guard of Minnesota and North Dakota came.  Red is for artillery, the second arm of the Minnesota and North Dakota National Guard to be organized.  The helmet symbolizes Viking warriors -- brave men of invincible courage who were valiant in war and brilliant organizers of government in peacetime.  Units of the division came from the area formerly known as the Dakota Territory, which was pioneered, founded, and built by descendants of the Vikings.

48th Inf Div

A blue four-pointed star on a blue disk with four white areas.  The four white areas have eight points that suggest the division number.

48th Inf Div2

Worn from:  31 January 1949 - 16 October 1961.

The division was formed in 1949 and deactivated in 1955 to form the Forty-eighth Armored Division.  The unit's numerical designation is indicated by the four-pointed star divided into eight sections -- four white and four red.

49th Inf Div

Worn from:  1946 - December 1948.

The shield's shape is that of the vigilante organizations during California's early history.  The prospector is reminiscent of the "days of '49" when the discovery of gold in northern California instigated the gold rush.  The great influx of people into California brought about the necessity for vigilantes and other organizations that are the forerunners of the present California National Guard.  The colors red and gold represent the early Spanish history of the state.

50th Inf Div

The five sides of the patch and the circle in the center indicate the unit's designation.

51st Inf Div

Worn from:  1946 - December 1948.

The colors blue and orange are representative of the flags of South Carolina and Florida, and the coiled rattlesnake is symbolic of the organization's readiness to strike.

55th Inf Div

On a blue pentagon with yellow border sits a smaller blue pentagon with yellow border.  The two pentagons suggest the division's number.

9th Inf Div

The disk is blue, the color for infantry.  The rattlesnake is an old colonial- American-flag symbol.  The flag represented the thirteen original colonies; the snake was situated above the motto that read "Don't tread on me."

63rd ARSC

Re-designated:  Sixty-third Army Reserve Command.  Worn from:  29 August 1974 - 1995.

Re-designated:  Sixty-third Army Regional Support Command.  Worn from:  1995 - Current.

The design was inspired by a statement made by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the 1943 Casablanca Conference, contemplating with President Franklin D. Roosevelt the battle plans for the impending invasion of Europe:  Operations Overlord (the invasion of northern Europe), Operation Huskey (the invasion of Sicily), and the strategic bombing of Germany.  Churchill is reported to have made an emotional pledge that the "enemy would bleed and burn in expiation of their crimes against humanity."  The sword is a representation of military might and strength.

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

65th Inf Div

Activated in August of 1943 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi.  The halberd combines a military ax with a spearhead and represents an implement of warfare used to cut the enemies' resistance.

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

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