Support Commands Patches History1

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

USED BY PERMISSION

1st TAACOM

Re-designated:  Twenty-first Support Command.  Worn from:  27 September 1974 - 1989.

Re-designated:  Twenty-first Theater Army Area Command.  Worn from:  1989 - Current.

The mill-rind is the iron reinforcement fixed in the center of a millstone to support the stone as it revolves on its axle when grinding wheat.  It is used in heraldry as a symbol of support.  With the additional reference to wheat, the "staff of life," the mill-rind stands for the vital and varied support furnished by the organization.

2nd SUPCOM

The two chevrons, simulating a belt supporting the sword, indicate the numerical designation of the organization and likewise allude to the unit's basic mission to provide support to combat troops.

Campaigns:  Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

3rd Supt Bde

The spearheads, with points up and shoulders joined, are suggestive of the spirit of cooperation and industry exerted by troops of the Third Support Brigade in the performance of services to the combat elements.  The three spearheads also indicate the numerical designation of the brigade.

7th Supt Bde

Re-designated:  Seventh Support Brigade.  Worn from:  30 November 1978 - 1988.

The chevron in heraldry is a symbol of support; the white five-pointed star, used for marking military equipment, alludes to the Combat Service to the Army concept.  The five points of the star refer to the supply, ordinance, transportation, medical, and military police brigades, which are integral elements of a Combat Service to the Army organization.  The colors red and white are those used for army support command flags.  The seven blue and yellow areas, taken together, allude to the Seventh Army, the three yellow areas refer to supply, service, and maintenance.  The alternating blue and yellow colors are, as a whole, symbolic of unity of purpose and successful accomplishment of mission.

8th FASCOM

The pattern of red and white is adapted from the Eighth Army shoulder- sleeve insignia, and the manner in which the wedges enclose the star is suggestive of the support mission.  The blue star, symbolic of command, has eight points, signifying the command's numerical designation.

12th Supt Bde

The insignia is a modification of the basic design of the insignia authorized for the Fifth Logistical Command, which was the parent or source organization of the Twelfth Support Brigade.

13th COSCOM

Re-designated:  Thirteenth Corps Support Brigade.  Worn from:  21 May 1975 - 21 October 1980.

Re-designated:  Thirteenth Support Command.  Worn from:  21 October 1980 - 10 August 1982.

Re-designated:  Thirteenth Corps Support Command.  Worn from:  10 August 1982 - Current.

The octagon, reinforced by the saltire, refers to the unit's mission of supporting the combat, combat support, and combat service support organizations of the corps.  The star symbolizes the many far-reaching missions of the command, and having thirteen points, the star also alludes to its numerical designation.  The octagon is a symbol of regeneration; it alludes to the combat service support functions of the unit that consistently renew the strength and vigor of the corps.

15th Supt Bde

The arch, symbol of support, indicates the vital support provided by the brigade.  The broad arrows denote action and, together with the arch from which they radiate, express the brigade's motto "Support the Action."  The three arrowheads allude to the three principal support functions of the brigade -- supply, maintenance, and services.  The head of an arrow simulates the roman numeral five, and the three arrowheads allude to the numerical designation of the organization.

Campaigns:  Vietnam (Counteroffensive Phases II and III).

19th TAACOM

Re-designated:  Nineteenth Support Command.  Worn from:  17 April 1978 - 1994.

Re-designated:  Nineteenth Theater Army Area Command.  Worn from:  1994 - Current.

The five-lobed form is an allusion to the Rose of Sharon, national flower of the Republic of South Korea, where the organization has served continuously since activation.  The colors red and blue, separated by an S-shaped line, are references to the yin-yang symbol found on the South Korean flag.  The unit's branch and numerical designation are further suggested by the S-shape, "S" being the nineteenth letter of the alphabet and the initial letter of the word "support."

22nd SUPCOM

Re-designated:  Twenty-second Support Command -- Theater Army Area. Worn from:  18 December 1990 - Unknown.

The quill is used in heraldry to represent calm, willing performance.  In ancient times it was used to symbolize air, light, and knowledge.   The arrowhead is representative of swiftness and, in heraldry, symbolizes martial readiness.  It is also the symbol most indicative of the Twenty- second Field Army Support Command, the former unit.

Campaigns:  Armed Forces Expeditions (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait).

23rd TASCOM

Re-designated:  Twenty-third Theater Area Support Command.  Worn from:  18 October 1988 - Current.

The two chevrons, heraldic symbols of support, are interlaced to represent the command's mission to co-ordinate combat service support operational matters; the enclosed red areas signify combat.  The two "X's," created by the braced chevrons and extending across the shield, form a barrier and denote the organization's territorial control over the field army service area for rear area security operations.  The two "X's", which simulate the roman numeral for twenty, together with the three red areas, also allude to the numerical designation of the command.