Military Uniform Patches

 JUNE 07, 2021

Take a gander at the uniform patches I’ve inherited from family members from their military service.

Week 22: Military

ROY ALAN FOLTZ. The ASA patch (left) stands for Army Security Agency and was worn throughout the Cold War in the 1960s-70s. From 1945-1991, the ASA was the US Army's electronic intelligence brand. Its motto was "Vigilant Always." The patch depicts a griffin clutching two lightning bolts; the griffin symbolizing vigilance and the lightning bolts symbolizing communication and speed. The blue background represents the Intelligence units, while the black feathers allude to the covert nature of gathering intelligence. The Berlin patch (right) was worn on the Army Class A uniform jacket and displays the insignia of the US Army in Europe, specifically for the Berlin Brigade, of which, Roy was a part of while stationed in Germany.

RAYMOND LEE MILLHOUSE. This is the Class A patch for the United States 5th Army, which was first activated on 5 January 1943 in Morocco (hence the blue mosque outline); the first field army to be activated outside of the United States. This patch was worn on the Army's Service Green Uniform. The unit's principal job was for the defense of Algeria, Morocco, and the invasion into mainland Italy during WWII.

RAYMOND LEE MILLHOUSE. This is a shoulder sleeve insignia for the 106th Infantry Division of the United States Army formed during World War 2. They joined the Rhineland Campaign in France in December of 1944. And then later that month joined the Ardennes-Alsace Campaign, including The Battle of the Bulge.

RAYMOND LEE MILLHOUSE. The 7 step golden pyramid in the shape of an "A"(aka The Pyramid of Power) sleeve patch represents The 7th US Army. The troupe served during WW2 in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany.