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WWII Collecting: |
3rd Armored Division
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
By: Steve B.
3rd Armored Division (NWHA)
OVERVIEW
"The basic shape and color arrangement of the Armor patch that is still in use today was approved by General Patton (when he was a Captain) during WWI. The colors (yellow, representing Cavalry and mobility; blue for Infantry and holding power, and red connoting Artillery and firepower) were specifically ordered by Patton. The overall shape suggests a pyramid of power with Patton's branch and color (Cavalry-yellow) uppermost. The lightning, tracks, and cannon were added to the patch in 1941 when the Armored Force was reactivated. The individual unit designations are indicated by the number at the top of the patch." * The tank track further denotes mobility, the cannon represents firepower, and the lightning bolt represents speed and shock action.
The basic design of the patch remained essentially the same until the division was deactivated in 1992, with the exception that the "SPEARHEAD" tab was authorized for wear in 1945. (See Figure 2).
COLORS
From its first approval in 1941, the Armored Forces Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI) were made with an Olive Drab colored border. The border color changed to a dark green, commonly referred to as Army Green or AG, in 1956, when the Army adopted the new Army Green uniform, and established wear-out dates for the olive drab colored "Ike" jackets. The construction of the patch has also changed throughout the years.The standard reference, Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the U.S. Army 1946-1989 by Richard W. Smith explains it as follows:"…Furthermore the adoption of the new Army Green uniform in 1956 caused changes in many of the WWII patches. The edges and background of insignia previously made in Olive Drab (OD) WWII color changed to the new Army Green color to match the new uniform. We have used the term "Olive Drab" to describe the WWII color as this is the term used in military publications. The WWII wool uniform was described by the Army as "olive drab shade No. 33," and the term "Khaki" was reserved for the suntan uniform which was "khaki Army shade No. 1." Consequently, the term "khaki" is a misnomer unless one is describing the shade of the suntan (summer) uniform.
The merrowed edge was adopted towards the end of the Vietnam war and further changed the design of many patches. A patch is said to be "merrowed" when the outer edge of the patch has been reinforced with a ring of heavy stitching to prevent fraying. The Vietnam War also saw the advent of the "subdued" type of insignia…The merrowed edge as well as the Army Green color can be used by the knowledgeable collector to "date" items. Patches with merrowed edges were not in use before 1968, and patches with the new Army Green color were not adopted before 1956. Some patches of WWII origin were made with a raised stitching on the outer edge but the process was different and such insignia is easily identified when examined closely…"
Another standard reference, U.S. Military Patches of World War II, by Christopher P. Brown further states: "WWII armored patches all had olive drab borders. When the army adopted the new army green uniform color, the border color of armored patches changed as well. Therefore, when you see armor patches with dark (army green) borders, they are post-1956 manufacture.MATERIALS & CONSTRUCTION
The World War II 3rd Armored Division patch was produced by embroidering cotton thread onto a cotton backing. On some as-new patches, sometimes the color of the backing material can be seen, and it is usually khaki in color. After the embroidery was finished, the patch was then cut from the backing material. Collectors often refer to this type of patch as "cut edge" or "flat edge" patches, and are often abbreviated as CE and FE respectively. (See Figure 3).The threads on the back of the patch are often a distinctive white color, referred to as "snow" by collectors. There are also numerous examples of patches with green "snow" on the back. Rightly or wrongly, "greenbacks" are generally considered to be more collectible than "whitebacks." (See Figure 4)
The post-1956 army green-edged patches were initially manufactured using the same process, but around 1968, the construction of army patches started to change to the "merrowed edge" style. A merrowed edge patch is identified by the edging on the patch which had a distinctive looped or chain-stitched edge which is significantly thicker than the rest of the patch. Merrowed edge patches usually have a chain-stitched tail that is tucked behind the patch when it is sewed to the uniform. This tail is often held in place with a dab of glue or a small piece or masking tape. At some point after 1956, the thread used in making the patches changed from all-cotton to cotton-polyester blends, polyester, or nylon. The latest patches often have a distinctive plastic-like backing. Merrowed Edge is often abbreviated as ME. (See Figure 3).Post-1956 Army Green patches can be found in flat-edge two piece, merrowed edge one-piece, and merrowed edge two-piece patches.
THE SPEARHEAD TAB
The SPEARHEAD tab mentioned earlier, was first authorized in 1945, and has been produced in a variety of materials and stitching. (See Figure 6). The first, second, and fourth examples shown are unauthorized tabs that do not meet the army's specifications. The first through sixth tabs date from 1945 to 1956. The last four patches are all post-1956, with the last two tabs being post-1968.
SUBDUED INSIGNIA
In 1970, the Army authorized all insignia to be worn on field or combat uniforms to be made in subdued colors. The two colors authorized were black and olive green. Most subdued 3rd Armored Division insignia features merrowed edges. Some non-government authorized makers made flat edge patches. (See Figure 7).
Sometime in the 1990s, the Army also authorized desert subdued patches. These are found made in brown on tan, and again, the authorized patches are all merrowed edge. (See Figure 8)
OTHER 3RD ARMORED DIVISION INSIGNIA
There are any number of other 3rd Armored Division insignia that are made as souvenirs, veteran's organization insignia, or to take advantage of the gullibility of collectors and eager young soldiers. Presented below are a few examples.
CONCLUSION
The chart below lists the characteristics and time periods of the known examples of authorized 3rd Armored Division patches:
WWII to 1956- All cotton, flat edge, OD border, full-color only.
1956 to 1968 - Cotton, cotton-synthetic, or all-synthetic flat edge, army green border, full color only.
1968 to present - Cotton-synthetic or all-synthetic merrowed edge, army green border full color only.
1970 to present - Cotton-synthetic or all-synthetic merrowed edge, army green border on full color patches. Cotton-synthetic or all-synthetic merrowed edge, black on olive green for subdued patches.
1993 (approx.) to present - Cotton-synthetic or all-synthetic merrowed edge brown on tan for desert subdued patches.
*From Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the U.S. Army 1946-1989, by Richard W. Smith
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the U.S. Armed Forces 1941-1945, by Richard W. Smith, published 1981, ISBN 0-9618883-4 Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the U.S. Army 1946-1989, by Richard W. Smith, published 1990, ISBN 0-9618883-1-8 U.S. Military Patches of World War II, by Christopher P. Brown, published 2002, ISBN 1-56311-830-0 The Decorations, Medals, Ribbons, Badges and Insignia of The United States Army World War II to Present, by Colonel Frank C. Foster (Retired), published 2001, ISBN 1-884452-56-6
ON THE INTERNET
American Military Patches, Other Insignia and Decorations of World War Two, Created by Dr. Howard G. Lanham LINK NWHA 3RD Armored Division, 3rd Armored Division Insignia LINK 3rd Armored Division History Website, 3rd Armored Division Patches LINK
