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learn about some of these patches below:
Hell on Wheels
The 2nd Armored Division was a US Army division that was active from 1940 to 1995. It was also known as "Hell on Wheels" because of its extensive use of armored vehicles during World War II.
During World War II, the 2nd Armored Division fought in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, and Germany. They played a key role in the Battle of the Bulge and the defeat of German forces in the Ruhr Valley.
After the war, the division was stationed in Germany as part of the occupation army. It was later sent to the Korean War where it was involved in the Battle of the Ch'ongch'on River.
In the 1960s, the division played a role in the Cold War, including the construction of the Berlin Wall. The division was deactivated in 1995 as part of a post-Cold War downsizing of the US military.
Overall, the 2nd Armored Division had a long and storied history of service to the United States, including multiple combat operations and its role in the defense of Europe during the Cold War.
The Pilgrim Division
The 94th Infantry Division was a World War II division of the United States Army composed of soldiers from different states. The division was known as the "Pilgrim Division" because of the patch that featured a Pilgrim's hat.
The 94th Infantry Division was activated in September 1942 at Camp Phillips, Kansas. Initially, the division was supposed to be assigned to the European Theater of Operations, but its destination was changed to the Pacific Theater in October 1943.
The division arrived in Hawaii in May 1944, where it underwent training in jungle warfare and amphibious landings. The division participated in the battle for Leyte in the Philippines, where it suffered heavy casualties.
The 94th Infantry Division played a key role in the liberation of the Philippine Islands, including Leyte and Mindoro. After the war ended, the division was assigned to occupation duty in Japan.
In total, the 94th Infantry Division spent 266 days in combat, suffered 15,924 casualties, and liberated more than 3,700 Allied prisoners of war. The division was awarded two Distinguished Unit Citations and two Presidential Unit Citations for its service in World War II.
SHAEF Flaming Sword
Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF) was the headquarters of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II. It was established in 1943 and led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was also the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe.
SHAEF was responsible for planning and coordinating the Allied land, sea, and air operations in Europe, including the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944. The headquarters was located in England and had a staff of over 1,400 officers from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and other Allied nations.
One of the major achievements of SHAEF was the successful execution of Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. This operation was one of the largest amphibious assaults in history and involved nearly 3 million troops, who landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate France from Nazi occupation.
Following the success of Operation Overlord, SHAEF continued to coordinate Allied operations in Europe until the end of the war. It played a crucial role in the defeat of Nazi Germany and the liberation of Europe.
After the war, SHAEF was disbanded and its responsibilities were assumed by other Allied headquarters. However, its legacy remains as a symbol of Allied cooperation and the successful execution of one of the most important military operations in history.
88th Infantry Division Blue Devils
The 88th Infantry Division, also known as the Blue Devils, was a unit of the United States Army that served during World War I and World War II. The division was activated in August 1917, trained at Camp Dodge, Iowa, and deployed to France in August 1918.
During the First World War, the 88th division was assigned to the XV Corps and saw action in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, which was the final Allied offensive of the war. Following the armistice in November 1918, the division remained in France for several months, performing occupation duties.
In World War II, the 88th Infantry Division was activated as a National Guard division on 15 November 1942. After completing training in the United States, the division was deployed to Italy in November 1943, where it became part of the Fifth Army.
The division fought in several major campaigns, including the Anzio landings, the capture of Rome, and the Gothic Line offensive. One of the most notable actions of the Blue Devils occurred during the Battle of Mount Battaglia in September 1944, where they successfully captured a heavily defended German position.
The 88th Infantry Division was eventually deactivated in April 1946, after the end of World War II. The division's accomplishments included the capture of more than 80,000 prisoners of war, the liberation of numerous Italian cities, and the receipt of several Unit Citations.
173rd Airborn Brigade
The 173rd Airborne Brigade is an airborne infantry brigade of the United States Army stationed in Vicenza, Italy. It is known as the "Sky Soldiers" and has a rich history of airborne operations.
The brigade was activated in 1915 as an infantry division and served in both World War I and II before becoming a separate airborne brigade in 1963. During the Vietnam War, the 173rd Airborne Brigade conducted extensive combat operations and was the first unit to arrive in Vietnam.
Today, the 173rd Airborne Brigade is a rapidly deployable unit and is designated as the U.S. Army's contingency response force in Europe. It is capable of conducting a full range of military operations from combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Some notable missions of the 173rd Airborne Brigade include deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, respectively. Additionally, the brigade has been involved in recent deployments to the Baltics and Poland as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence.
Overall, the 173rd Airborne Brigade is a highly trained and skilled unit that embodies the airborne tradition of being ready to deploy anywhere in the world at a moment's notice.
U.S. ARMY XXIV CORPS
The XXIV Corps was a corps-level command of the United States Army during World War II and the Vietnam War. It was originally activated in Hawaii, but later deployed to the Pacific theater during World War II. The Corps played a significant role in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Okinawa.
During the Vietnam War, the XXIV Corps was responsible for defending the South Vietnamese provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Khanh Hoa. The Corps engaged in several major operations, including Operation Lam Son 719, which aimed to disrupt enemy supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
After the Vietnam War, the XXIV Corps was deactivated, but it was reactivated in 1986 as the XXIV Corps (United States). The current XXIV Corps serves as a subordinate command of the United States Army Forces Command and is primarily responsible for planning and executing contingency operations in the Pacific theater.