104th Cavalry Regiment DUI

When I first began collecting military insignia, I focused my acquisition efforts on cavalry distinctive unit insignia (DUI). If you've read more of my blog than just this post, you already know that my focus isn't so much laser-like as it is open-bore-shotgun-like. Be that as it may, cavalry insignia remains atop my list of most sought-after militaria and my eyes are always peeled for items to fill the substantial gaps in my collection.

My latest cavalry pick-up is this nice DUI of the 104th Cavalry Regiment, Pennsylvania National Guard. The cavalry traditions of the 104th stretch back to the Revolutionary War, but the "official" start to the unit history came in June of 1921 when the 8th Infantry Regiment (PANG) was converted into a mounted outfit. Subsequent years found the 104th assigned to a number of domestic mission, including flood relief and strike breaking, until the unit was federalized in February of 1941. Transferred to Oregon, the federalized regiment was segmented into three separate units: 104th Cavalry Group (Mechanized); 104th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized); and 119th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized). Of the three, only the 104th Cav Recon Sqdn was shipped overseas during World War II, seeing action in Germany while assigned to the 115th Cavalry Group (Mechanized).

After the war, the 104th was reassembled and endured a number of redesignations:

• 104th Armored Cavalry Regiment (25 August 1952 - 1 June 1959)
• 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 103rd Armor (1 June 1959 - 1 April 1963)
• 1st Reconnaissance Squadron, 223rd Cavalry Regiment (1 April 1963 - 1 April 1975)
• 1st Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment (1 April 1975 - 2003)
• 104th Cavalry Regiment (2003 - present)

The regiment's two squadrons (one Armored, one Stryker) have spent the last decade deployed to hot spots in Europe and the Middle East as peacekeepers, humanitarians, and combat forces.

The symbolism of the DUI, approved on 24 January 1924, encompasses the regiment's long and varied history. The "yellow" circle represents the traditional color of the Cavalry branch, while the diagonal blue line signifies the unit's history as an Infantry regiment. The black Maltese cross represents the unit's service in Puerto Rico (during the Spanish-American War) and the red keystone is the divisional insignia of the 28th Infantry Division, to which the 104th is assigned.

So, finally, back to this little gem that I picked up on eBay for $2.99 (plus $3.15 shipping, which is a bit of a gouge). I've cataloged this guy as ASMIC 104A1, a no-hallmark pin-back piece that dates it to either just before or soon after World War II. If it were pre-war, then it may have been worn by any of the three units into which the 104th was segmented in 1941. Without a good bit of evidence as to its provenance, there's no way to tell for sure. That's just one of the drawbacks to building a collection from items purchased from a retailer.

Army Air Defense Command SSI

One of the biggest questions that I had when I first began collecting militaria was, besides eBay, where does one find this stuff? The boards are full of collectors who routinely discover great items at estate sales, garage sales, flea markets, and antique stores. So, armed with visions of easy pickings, I descended upon my local flea markets, garage sales, antique stores, and the rare estate sale convinced that my collection would grow by leaps and bounds.... and quickly learned that those guys on the boards must be stretching the truth just a touch. Of the very few items of interest that did turn up, most were exorbitantly overpriced or suffering from some sort of damage.

One of the rare exceptions to my streak of antique store strikeouts occurred while back in Michigan over Thanksgiving. Browsing one of my favorite antique malls from back in the day, I spotted this pair of Army Air Defense Command (ARADCOM) patches tucked away at the bottom of a locked curio. Although these patches are not uncommon, the fact that they remain in very nice shape in spite of obviously being worn made the $3.00 price tag (for the pair) a no-brainer.

ARADCOM was established in 1957, born from the already existing Army Antiaircraft Artillery Command (ARAACOM), and headquartered in Colorado Springs, CO. The SSI pictured here was approved on 10 April 1958, replacing the insignia previously approved for the ARAACOM. Responsible for the air defense of the continental United States, soldiers assigned to ARADCOM manned antiaircraft gun and missile batteries scattered all across the nation - including several in Detroit and other parts of Michigan. While it would be nice to think that these patches once adorned the shoulders of a Michigan-based soldier, there's no way to know for sure.

As the Cold War raged on, the ever-present Nike missile batteries and watchful antiaircraft gun emplacements kept a watchful eye on the skies above American cities, towns, and "strategic resources". Beginning in 1964, and escalating in the early 1970's, the number of batteries steadily decreased as a direct result of the Soviet Union's nuclear strategy. The switch from long-range bombers to ICBMs resulted in a lessened need for surface-to-air defenses and so, by the end of 1974, ARADCOM no longer fielded any operational batteries. The SSI was rescinded on 20 January 1975.

Judging from the cut-edge construction and moderate abundance of "snow", I would date these patches to be from the early days of the command - say somewhere between 1958 and 1965. I'm tempted to build an Air Defense collection around these finds, but I really need to stick to my own advice and focus, focus, focus. Yeah right!

United States Army Europe SSI

The shoulder sleeve insignia of the United States Army Europe is perhaps one of the most enduring heraldic items to emerge from the final months of World War II. Originally approved in 1944 for the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces (and sporting a black background), the SSI was re-designated with a blue background in August 1945 for U.S. Forces, European Theater. In 1947 the insignia was re-designated for the European Command and then, on 7 November 1952, assigned to United States Army Europe - to which it has remained attached ever since.

The SSI seen on soldiers in Germany
after WWII
(Photo: Stars and Stripes)

Headquartered at the Lucius D. Clay Kaserne (until 2012 known as Weisbaden Army Airfield) near Weisbaden, Germany, United States Army Europe oversees three joint and multinational commands as well as several brigade and regimental level combat and support units. Having been born in combat, the command has adapted to varying mission requirements on the continent throughout the Cold War including humanitarian and peacekeeping. Currently, United States Army Europe forces are committed to battling terror in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere.

The cute edge construction of this patch, as well as the nice amount of snow present on the reverse, indicates that it dates from some point between the post-World War II period and the mid-1960's. With the longevity of this SSI resulting in these patches being somewhat common, the $4.00 (including shipping) that I paid for this one on eBay is a reasonable expense.

63rd Theater Aviation Brigade SSI

Here's a patch that I had been questing after for several months. Sure, it's a modern-era SSI that I could have easily got my hands on from one of several uniform supply companies, but there's a reason they say the hunt is almost as satisfying as the prize itself. So why was this one so high on my "most desirable" list? Besides its obvious good looks, the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade is a component of the Kentucky National Guard and is based right here in my local area.

The 63rd TAB began life in 1986 as the Combat Aviation Brigade of the 35th Infantry Division. In 1995, the unit detached from the 35th Infantry Division and reorganized as the 63rd Aviation Group comprised of units National Guard from Illinois, Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, New York, Arkansas, and Kentucky. In 2007, when this shoulder sleeve insignia was approved, the unit reorganized once more as the 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade.

63rd TAB ACU SSI worn by CO Col. Michael Ferguson

The Brigade is responsible for supporting United States Army North (aka Fifth Army) domestic missions, KYNG in-state missions, and the occasional United States Southern Command tasking. Personnel have also been detached in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other efforts in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.

As for the symbolism of the SSI, the primary charge - the Pegasus - refers to the unit's flight mission and to Kentucky being known as "The Horse Capital of the World". The arched blue chief symbolizes the horizon, upon which the two rows of stars - six above three - indicate the Brigade's designation. The upward-pointing arrow, and the star within it, symbolizes readiness, consistency, and the desire to work toward a higher direction.

Picked up on eBay, this one was a little pricey at $8.00 including shipping. Even so, I still consider the purchase worthwhile in order to add this nice looking SSI to my KYNG collection.

30th Reconnaissance Squadron

This little modern-era gem arrived in the mail late last week. The 30th Reconnaissance Squadron, in its current capacity assigned to the 732nd Operations Group, is a UAV operations unit stationed at Creech AFB in Nevada. Tasked with remotely piloting the RQ-170 Sentinel drones, affectionately nicknamed the Beast of Kandahar, the unit responds to mission requirements around the globe. Whatever your opinion of drones - as for me, they have a place on the battlefield... end of story - it's clear that the days of manned recon aircraft are drawing to a close.

While the 30th has an operational history dating back to the Second World War, the squadron as it exists today was reactivated in 2005 after relinquishing its last manned aircraft (the RF-4C Phantom II) in 1976. The current emblem, which reminds me a lot of those Cold War Aggressor squadrons, was approved on 17 July 2007.

Like most of my items, I picked this one up on eBay. For $5.95 (including shipping), I'm pleased with the purchase.

1st Army Korean War-era SSI

It seems fitting that I should kick off this blog with the a "first" of some sort, and it just so happens that the mailman very recently delivered this nice little First Army shoulder sleeve insignia patch.

Originating in France on 10 August 1918, the First Army has a long and storied history. After participating in several campaigns in the closing months of WWI, the organization was demobilized but reactivated in 1933 as the parent unit of the First, Second and Third Corps. Having the responsibility for overseeing the training of Army personnel in the northeastern United States, the growing threat of war in the late 1930's found the First Army participating in massive maneuvers in Louisiana and North Carolina. The unit continued as a training outfit well into the World War II years, when Omar Bradley took the helm in early 1944 and began preparations for the Normandy landings. The First Army went ashore on D-Day, spending the remainder of the war heavily engaged with German forces.

After the war, the First Army returned to its garrison at Fort Jay, New York, where it resumed its previous training responsibilities. In 1973, the unit switched from training regular Army forces to Army Reserve components. Twenty years later, and in conjunction with a move from Fort Jay to Fort Gillem, GA, the First Army added to its mission the training of all National Guard units as well as Army Reserve forces. Today, the First Army is headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois and remains the responsible authority for the training of all Reserve and Guard forces.

Now, back to the patch. The black "A" - which symbolizes "Army" and is the "first" letter of the alphabet - was authorized for wear in 1918 and approved by the War Department in 1922. From that time until 1950, when the red and black background was approved, First Army patches typically sported an Army green background. Many, many variations exist with service-oriented color schemes filling the upper portion of the "A". The example that I purchased, given its background color scheme, cut-edge manufacturing and amount of visible "snow", indicates that it is from the period between the start of the Korean War and pre-Vietnam.

For the $3.99 (including shipping) investment that I made via eBay, I'm happy with this new addition to my growing collection.