Military Airborne Inf  Patches History 4

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

USED BY PERMISSION

511th Abn Inf Regt 2

The unit was an element of the Eleventh Airborne Division.  The design is an embroidered replica of the distinctive insignia of the unit.   Blue is the infantry color, and the blue and green signify the sky and the earth.  The nebuly dividing line is the heraldic symbol for clouds.  The white, wedge-shaped figure represents a parachute (for airborne infantry) and is also indicative of a wedge being driven from sky to earth, thus alluding to the regimental motto.  "Strength from Above."  The sun with rays is for service in the Philippines; the crossed kris and war club represent service in New Guinea; and the torii symbolizes service in Japan.

511th AIR

The unit was an element of the Eleventh Airborne Division and this design, an eagle forming the canopy of a parachute surrounded by flames with the inscription "Falcons," was worn by personnel in Germany during the above time.

513th PIR

Assigned to the Thirteenth Airborne Division.  Reassigned March 1944 - September 1945 to the Seventeenth Airborne Division.  The origin of the design is unknown.

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

Decorations:  Distinguished Unit Citation (streamer embroidered Wesel, Germany):  all companies first battalion-third battalion.

515th PIR

Reassigned March 1944 - February 1946 to the Thirteenth Airborne Division.  The origin of the design is unknown.

Campaigns:  World War II (Central Europe).

517th PIR

The unit was an element of the Seventeenth Airborne Division.  The origin of the design is unknown.

Campaigns:  World War II (Southern France [with arrowhead], Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe).

Decorations:  French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star (streamer embroidered Draguignan);cited in the Order of the Day, Belgian army for the Ardennes; all companies First Battalion entitled to Distinguished Unit Citation (streamer embroidered Soyhotten, Belgium).

541st PIR

The 541st was a strategic reserve unit used to test new doctrine and tactics for airborne warfare.  This design features a winged panther on a yellow disk.

Campaigns:  World War II (Pacific theater without inscription).

542nd PIB

This design shows the numerical designation of the battalion above a parachute that is superimposed on a hand clutching a bloody sword pointed in the striking position.  As a training battalion, the unit was assigned to the Replacement and School Command at Fort Benning, Georgia.  Designated as a training regiment, the unit eventually was re-designated Airborne Training Center Detachment with responsibility for overseas replacement of paratroopers and glider men.  The background color is found in gray as well as blue.

550th Abn InfBn

The design is that of the distinctive insignia of the unit -- a bolt of lightning on an azure shield.  The lightning flash represents the sudden striking power of the organization, while azure is the color for infantry.

Campaigns:  World War II (Rome-Arno, Southern France) [with arrowhead], Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace).

550th Abn Inf Bn 2

The design is taken from the shield of the coat of arms of the 550th and incorporates the inscription, "A Bolt from the Blue."