M51 field jacket 101 airborne patch missing help

[JackedPirate]

I bought an m51 Field jacket from a yard sale last summer that was missing it's patches (ripped out, most likely sold separately) and I would like to put the patches back on, I have positively identified 3 of the 4 patches, they are; 101 airborne patch (screaming eagle), combat infantryman patch, and jump wings patch, but the fourth patch remains a mystery to me, it is shaped exactly like a second army patch (rectangle, with sloped top corners) but I'm not sure if that would be an appropriate patch for this jacket, considering the other patches that it had, I just want your guys' opinions on this

---------- Post added at 09:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:54 PM ----------

It just occurred to me that it could also be a 5th army patch, just some more food for thought

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Paul S.]

Assuming the 101 patch was on the right shoulder - the patch of the unit in which the soldier served in combat, then the left shoulder patch would be the one of his current unit. That at least is what I've learned.

[browningautorifle]

Pics would be priceless...there were also Jungle expert patches and such.

[Aragorn243]

Combat patches are typically a large command. Unit patches are generally a bit smaller but not always. Take for instance the PA National Guard or 28th Division. The Keystone or "bloody bucket" is the unit patch. If they served with the 3rd Army, the combat patch would be 3rd Army.

So if you can verity that the 101st Airborne was attached to the 2nd Army, you're good to go.

[Paul S.]

Combat patches are typically a large command. Unit patches are generally a bit smaller but not always. Take for instance the PA National Guard or 28th Division. The Keystone or "bloody bucket" is the unit patch. If they served with the 3rd Army, the combat patch would be 3rd Army.

So if you can verity that the 101st Airborne was attached to the 2nd Army, you're good to go.

I have to say you have confused me.

Given what you've just said, then the US veterans of 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) - a brigade is a lot smaller than a division - with which we were once attached in Vietnam should wear a USARV patch instead of their brigade patch. But, they didn't and don't.

[browningautorifle]

We may never sort this out, he hasn't been back since the 3rd and we need pics of what he's talking about.

[Aragorn243]

I have to say you have confused me.

Given what you've just said, then the US veterans of 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) - a brigade is a lot smaller than a division - with which we were once attached in Vietnam should wear a USARV patch instead of their brigade patch. But, they didn't and don't.

Not pretending to explain all possibilities of combat patches. Just the one possibility being explored here to explain the 2nd Army patch. A separate brigade is sufficiently large enough to qualify as a command unit for the wearing of a combat patch. With the rules established in 1945, it is the smallest unit. The rules changed in 2014 to allow units as small as a company.

When serving under multiple commands, it is the soldiers choice which patch they wear.

My particular company was under the command of the 79th ARCOM which was a reserve command in the states. We had no individual company patch. During Desert Storm we were as a company, assigned first to the 3rd Army and later to the 22nd SUPCOM so we have the option of wearing either.